legislative branch

How long do congressional sessions last?

two years

What congressional session are we currently in?

119th

What type of legislature does the US have?

Bicameral

Qualifications for US senators

1. 30 years old

2. 9 year citizen of US

3. Be a resident of the state you're elected in

How many senators does MN have?

two

Who are MN's two US senators?

-Amy Klobuchar

-Tina Smith

President of the Senate

VPOTUS

President Pro Tempore of the Senate

Chuck Grassley

Senate majority leader

John Thune

Senate minority leader

Chuck Schumer

Qualifications for Representatives

1. 25 years old

2. 7 year resident of US

3. Live in state you’re elected in

How many Reps. does MN have?

8

How long do Reps. serve?

2 years

How is the number of representatives each state gets determined?

Population

How long do senate members serve?

6 years

Speaker of the House

Mike Johnson

House majority leader

Steve Scalise

House minority leader

Hakeem Jeffries

Who represents MN congressional district 1 in the house?

Brad Finstad

Standing committees

More or less permanent committees within each chamber

Select/special committees

temporary, investigative/research issue related

Conference committees

meet to reconcile differences between similar bills passed in the house & senate

What is direct lobbying?

Talking to the decision maker

Grassroots lobbying

talk to the people to get them to influence (call, email, write) lawmakers

What is a lobbyist?

-assist in the prep & presentation of info

-arrange testimony for congressional hearings

-arrange and attend face-to-face meetings with congressional staff/members of congress or agency officials

How did lobbyists get their name?

term originated from hanging out in hotel lobbies and boarding house lobbies to try & influence congressmen

they are protected through 1st amendment and lobbiest act

PACs (Political action committees)

-organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates

-most PACs represent business, labor or ideological interests

-PACs are often part of interest groups

-unlimited donations and expenses but do not have to report

Caucus

a congressional caucus is a group of members of the senate and/or house which meets to pursue common legislative objectives

Interest groups

a group, however loosely or tightly organized, doing advocacy and trying to get legislation that they want passed (not part of the government, exist to influence gov)

What happens to bills that have not passed by the time each session of congress ends?

They become dead and must start over

Public bills

Most of the bills, effects most Americans/classes

Private bills

Almost extinct, usually effects one individual, corporation, or the government

Simple resolution

Way for the chamber (usually senate) to set rules, or express sentiments of a chamber

Concurrent resolution

sets rules for the chambers (when congress will adjourn), express sentiments of the chambers (rare)

Joint resolution

pass laws similar to bills (rare), how an amendment gets started

Presidential vetos

congress can override with 2/3 majority in both chambers, or the bill is dead

What legislation is MN currently in?

94th session

What does DFL stand for?

Democratic farmer labor

How many members in MN's House?

134 members

What are the qualifications to become a Representative in MN?

1. 21 years old

2. Live in MN one year prior to election

3. Live in district you Rep 6 months prior to election

How many MN senators?

67 senators

How long is a Senators term?

2 year terms when years end in 0, 4 year terms in years ending in 2 and 6 (due to redistricting)

MN Senate majority leader?

Erin Murphy

MN Speaker of the House?

Lisa Demuth

MN state senators from Rochester

Carla Nelson and Liz Bolden

MN representatives from Rochester

1. Kim Hicks

2. Duane Quam

3. Andy Smith

4. Tina Liebling

What are the 3 largest sources of income for MN?

1. Federal Grants

2. Individual Income Tax

3. Sales Tax