legislature

House of Representatives

435 Members, based on population of the state, 2 year long terms;no term limits

Apportioned

to be distributed, as in the seats in the House of Representatives by population

qualifications for congress members

atleast 25 yo, US citizen of atleast 7 years, and live in the state which he or she is elected

Powers of the House of Representatives

Initiate revenue bills - power of the purse , Impeach federal officials, hElect the President in the event of an Electoral College tie

Senate

There are 100 members in the Senate - Continuous body, all the seats are up for election at the same time. 1/3 of senators run for election every 2 years; Represent all constituents in the state; 6-year term, no term limits; 2members for each 50 states.

Qualifications for Senate

minimum age 30, U.S. citizen for 9 years, and resident of the state represented

Powers of Senate

1Confirm presidential appointments, Ratify treaties, Try cases of impeachment of federal officials.

bicameral legislature

two houses; • Flounders were familiar with design of British Parliament; Pratical Matter - Bicameral design would allow for a system of checks between both houses.

bill

Proposed law, must originate in the House of Representatives or the Senate, except for revenue bills which MUST originate in the House.

steps in the legislative process of a bill

1. Drafted 2. Introduced to the House 3. Committee action 4. Goes to floor twice 5. Goes to senate 6. Goes to floor 7. Conference committee 8. Vote for compromises 9. Goes to President 10. Veto override

Rider

a provision not likely to pass on its own merit that is attached to an important measure certain to pass

Quorum

majority of the full membership that mist be present in chambers to conduct business

Engrossed

the bill is engrossed when it is printed in its' final form.

Filibuster

Attempt to talk a bill to death. can only be used in Senate

Veto

when the president refuses to sign a bill

pocket veto

A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.

Speaker of the House

chosen from the majority party in the house (typically the longest serving house member)

Duties of the Speaker of the House

Preside over the House; Maintain order; Interprets and applies the rules of the house; Refers to bills committees ; Must sign all resolutions and bills passed by the house; No member is allowed to speak unless he or she is recognized by the speaker and given permission to speak; May vote, but typically only does so in event of a tie.

President of Senate

always the Vice President of the United States and is the Senates presiding officer.

Powers of the President of Senate

Recognize members who wants to speak; put measures to a vote; Vote ONLY in the event of a tie - the President of the Senate may NOT debate a bill.

President Pro Tempore

Presiding officer of the senate in the Vice President's absence. The President Pro Tempore is elected by the member of the senate and is always a member of the majority party.

MAJORITY floor leader

(House & Senate) chosen by party members within their respective houses of congress from the majority party.

Roles of MAJOR floor leader

Carry out decisions of the party caucuses; steers floor action; votes to their party's advantage; serve as the chief spokesperson for his or her party

MINORITY floor leader

(House & Senate) chosen from minority party in each house of congress; Serve same roles as majority floor leaders.

Whips

assistant floor leaders; Senate's whips are appointed by party colleagues

Duties of Whips

Keep track of number of votes on mattes being debated and voted on in the House and the Senate; Make sure all party members are present in chambers for votes