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The Legislative Branch

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Purpose The purpose of the legislative branch is to make laws.

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Bicameralism Bicameral= two chambers. There is a House of Representatives and a Senate. According to the Connecticut Compromise, the membership of the House was determined by a states population and the membership of the Senate was determined by equality. A bicameral Congress is also important so that each chamber may check the power of the other. In a republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates. The remedy for this inconveniency is to divide the legislature into different branches--------- James Madison

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Bicameralism - The House of Representatives 435 representatives, the state of California has the most with 53. The number is fixed by Congress, that is apportioned (distributed) among the states. Article I of the Constitution calls Congress to reapportion every decennial census. (every ten years) House members may serve an unlimited number of terms. Reapportionment Act 1929 sets the size of the House at 435.

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Bicameralism The Senate The size of the senate=100 There are two senators for every state. Senators tend to have much more prestige than representatives WHY? Senate is considered a continuous body since a Senators term is staggered.

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Organization of the Leadership of the House of Representatives Speaker of the House John Boehner (R- Oh) Leader of the House and elected by the majority. John Boehner (R) Ohio

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House Leadership (cont) Majority Leader House (R)Eric Cantor Va

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House Leadership (cont) Majority Whip (R)Kevin McCarthy Ca Job is to collect votes for the party

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House Leadership (cont) Minority Leader= the person responsible for members of the minority party. Minority Leader (D) Nancy Pelosi Ca

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House Leadership (cont) Minority Whip (D) Steny Hoyer MD Job is to collect votes for the party.

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Organization of the Leadership in the Senate President of the Senate Joe Biden (Vice President of the United States) (D) Delaware An example of Checks and Balances

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President Pro Tempore of the Senate Patrick Leahy (D-VT )

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Senate Leadership (cont) Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) Nevada

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Senate Leadership (cont) Richard Durbin (D) Ill Majority Party Whip Collect votes for the party

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Senate Leadership (cont) Mitch McConnel (R) KY Minority Leader Leads opposition to the majority party

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Senate Leadership (Cont) John Cornyn (R-TX) Minority Whip Collect votes for the party

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II. The Powers of Congress Bell Work: What are the three specific powers of Congress stated in the Constitution?

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Specific Powers of Congress Expressed Powers Implied Powers Inherent Powers

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A. Expressed Powers The expressed powers are also called enumerated powers These are powers written into the Constitution.

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The Power to Tax Purpose of taxes is to bring money into the government to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. 1.Congress may collect for public not private purposes 2.Congress may not tax exports 3.Direct taxes must be apportioned among the states by population 4.Indirect taxes must be levied at the same rate.

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The Power to Tax Taxes may be progressive (income tax- the 16 th Amendment) or regressive (Social Security)

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The Borrowing Power Congress has the power to borrow money, Congress may borrow from programs, individuals, or other countries.

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The Commerce Power The power to regulate interstate and foreign trade Gibbons v. Ogden

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The Currency Power Congress has the right to coin money.

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War Powers Congress has the sole authority to declare war. Maintain an Army and Navy Make laws governing land and naval forces To provide the summoning of state militia

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Legislative Look-Book