Download The Legislative Branch

SSCG9
The student will explain the differences between the House of
Representatives and the Senate with emphasis on terms of office,
powers, organization, leadership, and representation of each house.
SSCG10
The student will describe the legislative process, including the roles
played by committees and leadership.
a. explain the steps in the legislative process
b. explain the function of various leadership positions within the legislature
SSCG11
The student will describe the influence of lobbyists (business, labor,
professional organizations) and special interest groups on the
legislative process.
a. explain the function of lobbyists
b. describe the laws and rules that govern lobbyists
c. explain the function of special interest groups
The Legislative Branch
General Features
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Bicameral
Two year term
2 Sessions per term (January 3rd)
Congressional Salaries: $165,200
113th Congress (2013-2015)
House of Representatives
General Features
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435 Seats (grew from 64 original seats)
Reapportionment Act of 1929
Two year terms for members
20 Standing Committees
Qualifications for Entering
the House of
Representatives
 Age- Must be 25 years of age
(when seated, not when
elected).
 Citizenship- Must have been a
citizen of the United States for 7
years.
 Residency- Must be an
inhabitant of the state from
which elected. (NOTE: custom,
but not the Constitution,
requires that a representative
live in the district that he or she
represents.)
Georgia’s Representation
 Georgia currently
has 13
congressional
districts.
 North Cobb’s
current
congressional
district is the 11th
represented by:
Representative Phil Gingrey
Georgia’s Representation
 There are 100
members of the U.S.
Senate
 The number of
senators is equal
among the states (2
from each state).
 Georgia’s current
senators are:
Exclusive Powers
Of the House
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Origin of all bills that involve raising or
spending money
Impeachment of President
Elects President (when no Electoral College
majority)
Leadership in the
House of Representatives
SPEAKER OF THE
HOUSESelected by the majority party
John A. Boehner
(R-Ohio)
Elected Speaker in 2011
Leadership in the
House of Representatives
SPEAKER OF THE
HOUSE
Selected by the majority party
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Leads the party
Majority Whip
Assists the leader, rounds up votes,
heads large group of deputy and
assistant whips.
Leads the party
Minority Whip
Assists the leader, rounds
up votes, heads large group
of deputy and assistant
whips.
House Apportionment
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Seats of the House are redistributed
(reapportioned) every ten years based on
census
State Legislatures draw state districts based on
apportionment by U.S. Census bureau
“Gerrymandering”
Baker v. Carr (1962)
“One person, one vote”
Eldridge Gerry, Massachusetts 1812
Illinois 4th District (2004)
California 38th District (2004)
N.Carolina challenge
2000
2010 Proposed
Georgia
Congressional
Districts
2014
Georgia's
11th District
(2006-2013)
U.S. Senate
General Features
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2 Senators from each state (100)
6 year terms (33/34 elected every two years)
17th Amendment
“Continuous Body”
16 Standing Committees
Qualifications for Entering
the United States Senate
 Age- Must be 30 years of
age (when seated, not
when elected).
 Citizenship- Must have
been a citizen of the United
States for 9 years.
 Residency- Must be an
inhabitant of the state from
which elected.
Georgia’s Representation
Senator Saxby
Chambliss
Senator Johnny
Isakson
AND
Exclusive Powers
Of the Senate
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“Advise and Consent”
Ratify treaties
Hold trials of Impeachment
Elect the Vice-President (when no Electoral
majority)
Leadership in the
United States Senate
PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE
The Vice President of the United
States
Vice President
Joe Biden
Elected in 2008
Leadership in the
United States Senate
Committees of Congress
Standing Committees – permanent
committees of Congress that consider
legislation
Select Committees – special, temporary
committees often of investigatory nature
Joint Committees – a committee made up of
members from both House and Senate
Conference Committees – a type of Joint
committee that settles differences in legislation
Standing Committees
House of Representatives
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Committee on Agriculture
Committee on Appropriations
Committee on Armed Services
Committee on the Budget
Committee on Education and Labor
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Committee on Energy and Commerce
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Committee on Financial Services
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Committee on Homeland Security
Committee on House Administration
Committee on Rules
Committee on Science and Technology
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Committee on Small Business
Committee on Standards of Official Con
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Committee on Transportation and Infras
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Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Committee on Ways and Means
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Committee on the Judiciary
Committee on Natural Resources
Committee on Oversight and Governme
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Senate Standing Committees
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Standing
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Appropriations
Armed Services
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Budget
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Energy and Natural Resources
Environment and Public Works
Finance
Foreign Relations
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Judiciary
Rules and Administration
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Veterans' Affairs
Committee of the Whole
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A division of the House of Representatives
Conducts legislative business in the absence of
a Quorum.
All business must be approved by the full
House
Committee Arrangements
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Membership is granted by leadership
Majority party holds majority in committee
and Chairmanship
Major committee appointments are based on
Seniority
Committee Business
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Hearings
“Mark-ups”
Amendments
Reports
Lobbyists
Representatives of interest
groups
 Provide testimony
 Provide
information/documents
 Provide legislative language
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Jack Abramhoff
Law-making Process
Hopper, Reading
Comm. Referral
Hopper, Reading
Comm. Referral
Sub-Committee Action
Sub-Committee Action
Full Committee Action
Full Committee Action
House Rules Committee
Floor Action
Floor Action
Conference Report Vote
Conference Committee
President Action
Conference Report Vote
“Floor Actions”
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Amendments
Changes to legislation
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Filibusters
“Talking a bill to death”
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Voice Votes
Unrecorded votes
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Roll Call Votes
Recorded votes
Congress in Your Life…
Make
the
Laws
Oversight
Inform us of the laws
Constituen
t services