Legislative branch notes

rate this 5 stars and yes this is everything on the paper

House of Representatives requirements

25 years old, U.S. citizen for 7 years, resident of the district.

Senate requirements

30 years old, U.S. citizen for 9 years, resident of the state.

Leader of the House of Representatives

Speaker of the House

Leader of the Senate

Vice -President of U.S.- doesn’t get to vote unless there is a tie vote. President pro tempore

Representation of House of Representatives

Based on population

Census every 10 years to count population

Impeachment role for House of Representatives

Accuser

Representation for Senate

Based on 2 per state

Who leads if s/he is not in the Senate?

President pro tempore

Impeachment role for Senate

Court

Congress

Must have a majority to do business, each house makes its own rules, a member can be expelled if 2/3 of the members agree, and members CAN NOT be arrested (with exception of serious crimes) while Congress is in session.

Most “bills” can start in the House or the Senate

Bills about taxes MUST start in the House of Representatives.

When the bill is approved by the House and the Senate, it goes to the president. He has 3 options,

Sign the bill, so it becomes a law, veto the bill, so it is rejected- Congress can override the veto if 2/3 of each house approves. Then the bill becomes a law without the presidents signature-, or they could do nothing- it becomes a law after 10 days IF Congress is still in session. If fewer than 10 days left in session it becomes a pocket veto.-

Powers of Congress

Collect taxes AND borrow money, trade with other countries, make laws about naturalization of citizens and bankruptcy, print money AND punish counterfeiters, set up the post office, PATENTS AND COPYRIGHTS, SET UP LOWER COURTS UNDER THE SUPREME COURT, punish pirates, DECLARE WAR, build military and make rules governing it, RUN THE GOVERNMENT OF WASHINGTON D.C., and MAKE LAWS TO HELP CARRY OUT THE CONSTITUTION.

Congress CANNOT

Restrict slave trade until 1808, deny habeus corpus, punish without a trial, impose “ex post facto” law, charge export tax, and grant titles of nobility (king, queen, prince, etc.).

The states CANNOT

Make treaties with other countries or become a part of another country, print money, punish without trial, grant titles of nobility, tax imports or exports of its state, have its own military, make a treaty with another country, or declare war.

Powers shared by Federal and State

Tax, establish courts, borrow money, charter banks, provide for public welfare.