535 members in congress 435 Reps & 100 Sen.
Article 1
Legislative branch makes law
A Bicameral Congress
Historical
British Parliament consisted of two houses
Practical
Created to settle differences in NJ (Senate)&VA (House of Reps) Plans Terms
Each term of Congress last for two years
First term of Congress
March 4th, 1789
Start date for Congress changed with 20th Amendment
Session
A period of time during which, every year, Congress assembles and conducts business
Adjournment
When we’re done with the session. Presidential Power over Congress
Article 2 s3
President has the power to prorogue, end or discontinue, a session only when two houses cannot agree on date for adjournment.
Special Session
Only the President may call Congress into Special Sessions.
The House Size: 435
Seats are based on population.
Appointed
Distributed on basis of population
Each state has to have at least 1 Rep.
Reapportionment
A census
Census 1790
Population 3.9 million 1792- House raises number of reps to 106 1912- House has 435 members
Reapportionment Act of 1929
Automatic reapportionment
Congressional Elections
Date (same in every state)
First Tuesday in November of each even numbered year
At large districts
Everyone in the state votes for each rep in the state.
States with one Rep has a at large district
1842
Law passed that required each state to draw congressional districts
1872
Law added that districts have.
Gerrymandering
District drawn to the benefit of the political party that controls the state legislature.
The end of Gerrymandering
Westbury v. Sanders, 1964
One person one vote
The Senate
Size: 100
Used to be chosen by the state legislature (Millionaires Club)
17th amendment people of the state elect the senators.
Term: 6 years
Continuous body
33 or 34 terms expires every two years
All seats are never up for election at the same time
Why 6 years
Job Security
Larger Constituencies
30 years old in Senate
Citizen 9 years
You have to live in the state
Florida Reps
Ron DeSantis (R) District 6
Senate
Bill Nelson
Marco Rubio
The house is in charge of impeachment (charge of a crime)
The senate is in charge of kicking them out
Congressional Powers
The Constitution grants Congress power in 3 ways
Expressed Power
Explicitly in specific wording
Implied Power
Reasonable deduction from the expressed powers
Inherent Power
Creation of a national government
Strict Constructionist
One who follows the Constitution exactly w/o modern interpretation?
Liberal Constructionist
One who believes the Constitution is a living document and changes meaning with time
Expressed Powers of money
Congress can tax
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
In the past century, people continued to express an increasingly discontent view of Congress especially true when one looks back before the Clinton Impeachment debacle As the size of the nation and the number of congressman have grown, the congress has come under attack by both public influences and congressman themselves. Yet looking at one congressman's relationship with his or her constituents, it would be hard to believe that this is the branch of government that has come under suspect. In "If Ralph Nader says congress is 'The broken branch,' how come we love our congressman so much?" author Richard F. Fenno, Jr., provides insight into this view and why, through congress coming under fire, constituents still feel positively about there congressmen. Although congress is often criticized, its fine tuned functioning is essential in checking the power of congress without hindering the making of legislation…
- 759 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Congress is considered by many to be the system's broken branch. It has probably been the object of more mass public distrust and more elite reform proposals than either the presidency or the federal judiciary combined. This is true although most incumbent members usually win re-election and congress has consistently expanded programs and adopted policies that most citizens favor.…
- 5336 Words
- 17 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Narrow construction is not found in the Constitution, but the powers granted to Congress to regulate commerce are found. Exactly stated, "Congress shall have power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes." This clause has no definite interpretation, but has included many aspects of regulating. The word "commerce" is defined as the exchange or buying and selling of commodities on a large scale involving transportation from place to place (Webster 264). Congress has exercised this delegated power in many cases. The nature and basic guidelines of Congress' power over commerce is first laid out in the case of Gibbons v. Ogden. In addition, the case United States v. Lopez is a prime example of Congress' ability to carry out the Commerce Clause to the furthest extent. Lastly, the case National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation brings to light the Wagner Act of 1935. Through a review of these three cases, it can be concluded that there are no real limitations on Congress when regulating commerce.…
- 2361 Words
- 10 Pages
Better Essays -
By working in partnership with professional colleagues, can help to overcome perceived boundaries between services and organisations,…
- 761 Words
- 4 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
It’s been argued ever since the constitution was made how in touch the congress members where with the people who elect them and this argument still goes on today. With the 425 members of the House each has a district which averages nearly 650,000 people, this is a vast number with many arguing that there is little chance that congress can be in touch with the people when they have to represent such vast numbers. However, the other side of the argument displays evidence that in fact the members of congress are able to stay in touch and represent the people who elect them.…
- 1012 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
A President may choose to veto a bill, which would exercise the Presidents influence. However, Congress could choose to override it, which then questions how much influence the President then has over the legislative process…
- 388 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Of course the senate has joint powers with the HOR. If the president decides to veto a bill for whatever reason congress can overturn it. However for the to be achieved. There needs to be two thirds majority in each house. The treaties which the president agrees with other countries need to be ratified by the senate. The appointments made by prime ministers also have to be confirmed by the senate.…
- 759 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The primary goal of foreign policymaking is to ensure state survival. Without foreign policy our world will be in chaos. It is our government’s strategy in dealing with other nations. While both President and Congress each has their own role in foreign policymaking, the President’s role is to enforce decisions and the Congress is to approve treaty making powers.…
- 739 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
This cartoon depicts corporate interests in the end of the 19th century. Further analysis of the cartoon shows that the “people’s entrance” is bolted shut (a metaphor for the middle to lower class, who feel that large businesses and monopolies have gained substantially more political power than their counterparts. The sign in the back states, “This is a Senate of the Monopolists, by the Monopolists, for the Monopolists.” This is another way of criticizing the government with a somewhat satirical approach. The size of the businessmen in comparison with the Senate is another representation of their control over the Senate. The Monopolists are depicted by representing their interest in various industries (such as coal, iron, steel, oil, copper, etc.) and the impact that those industries have on the senate. These oversized monopolists represent large corporation owners of the day, such as Vanderbilt, Carnegie, and Rockefeller. The overall theme of this cartoon is political corruption, and it intends to bring the issue to surface on a larger stage.…
- 175 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
P4 Outline how legislation, policies and procedures relating to health, safety and security influence health and social care settings…
- 903 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Decades ago, in the later part of the 1940’s and 1950’s, Americans were very fearful about the ideas of communism spreading to the United States. Considering this, they launched a system allowing them to investigate alleged disloyalty; they called this the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). Their initial plan was to step up its efforts to expose and eliminate communist in the American society. In addition to focusing on labor unions, government officials, and militaries’, the HUAC turned its attention to Hollywood in 1947. More than 40 workers in the film industry received subpoenas ordered for them to help uncover communist, but 10 of those people refused to testify in court, giving them the famous nickname of: The Hollywood Ten.…
- 649 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Section 21. The Senate or the House of Representatives or any of its respective committees may conduct inquiries in aid of legislation in accordance with its duly published rules of procedure. The rights of persons appearing in, or affected by, such inquiries shall be respected.…
- 2171 Words
- 9 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Adjournment may be defined a s a putting off until another time or place . In other words, it is a putting off or postponing of business or of a session until another time or place; the act of a court, legislative body, public meeting, or officer, by which session or assembly is dissolved, either temporarily or finally, and the business in hand dismissed from consideration, either definitely or for interval. If the adjournment is final, it is said to be sine die. No appointed date for resumption .…
- 4261 Words
- 18 Pages
Good Essays -
When asked to adjourn a meeting, a motion to that effect must be moved. It can be moved by the chairman of the meeting or any member present at the meeting. It usually seconded that even not necessary, although it is not seconded by any member, it is advisable to put the motion to vote.…
- 1234 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
The modern UK Parliament can trace its origins all the way back to two features of Anglo-Saxon government from the 8th to 11th centuries. These are the Witan and the moot.…
- 10819 Words
- 44 Pages
Good Essays