U.S. and Missouri Legislative Branch: Structure, Powers, and Processes

Bicameral

A legislature made up of two houses (House of Representatives and Senate).

Term of Congress

A two-year period during which Congress meets, beginning at noon on January 3 of each odd-numbered year.

Session of Congress

The period during which Congress assembles and conducts business; there are two sessions per term.

Quorum

The majority of the full membership needed to conduct business (218 in the House, 51 in the Senate).

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing district boundaries to favor a political party.

Mike Johnson (R)

Speaker of the House, presiding officer and leader of the majority party.

Steve Scalise (R)

Majority floor leader, directs party’s legislative strategy on the floor.

Hakeem Jeffries (D)

Minority floor leader, leads the minority party in the House.

JD Vance (R)

President of the Senate, presiding officer and Vice President of the United States.

Chuck Schumer (D)

Minority floor leader in the Senate.

Reapportionment Act of 1929

Fixed the House at 435 members.

Census is conducted to determine population changes for apportionment.

Every 10 years

Congressional elections are held in even-numbered years.

Tuesday after the first Monday in November

Expressed Powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers reasonably suggested by the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Strict Constructionists

Believe Congress should use only powers necessary to carry out expressed powers.

Liberal Constructionists

Support broad use of implied powers.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make all laws necessary and proper for executing its powers.

Impeachment of Andrew Johnson (1868)

Charged for violating the Tenure of Office Act.

Impeachment of Bill Clinton (1998)

Charged with perjury and obstruction of justice.

Impeachment of Donald Trump (2019 & 2021)

First for abuse of power and obstruction; second for inciting an insurrection.

Number of members in the House

435

Number of members in the Missouri House

163

Number of members in the Missouri Senate

34

Length of Senate term

6 years

Length of House term

2 years

17th Amendment

Established direct election of U.S. Senators by the people

27th Amendment

Congressional pay changes take effect after the next election

Impeachment

House impeaches, Senate acts as jury

Must originate in the House of Representatives

Revenue bills

Filibuster

Senate tactic to delay or block action

Cloture

Requires 60 senators to end a filibuster

Standing committees

Permanent committees handling specific subjects

Conference committees

Temporary joint committee to resolve differences between House and Senate versions

Reapportionment every 10 years

Redistribution of House seats among states based on population changes

Impeachment process initiated

Formal charges against public officials for misconduct, leading to potential removal

Filibuster used by minority party

Delays legislative action, requiring a cloture vote to proceed

Congressional elections held every 2 years

Ensures regular democratic process and representation in the House of Representatives