Unit 2 (25-36%): Interactions Among Branches of Government

Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives

• the senate represents states equally (2/state) and serves 6-year terms.

• HofR is based on population and serves 2-year terms

  • b/c of diff in size of the chambers, rules on debate, terms, coalitions

house members

tend to represent smaller districts/less people than Senators and can be closer to their constituents

The enumerated and implied powers in the Constitution allow the creation of public policy by Congress:

• passing a federal budget, raising revenue, and coining money

• declaring war and maintaining the armed forces

• enacting legislation that addresses a wide range of economic, environmental, and social issues based on the necessary and proper clause

structures, power, and functions of congress

• by design, the different structures, powers, and functions of the Senate and the HofR affect the policy-making process

  • senate: saucer that cooled down the more passionate House

  • congress is slower and more deliberate, but the House is quicker with making policy

though both chambers rely on committees to

• conduct hearings and debate bills under consideration, diff constitutional responsibilities of the House and Senate affect the policy making process

standing committees:

• Permanent committees that consider legislation, have oversight power, and have leadership based on the majority party

select committees

tends to be temporary and investigative in nature