AP Gov 2.1

The legislative Branch

• Article 1 of the Constitution created Congress

• designed as the most powerful and representative branch

• Bicameral Congress

• Senate: Equa Rep

• House: Representation based on population

House of Representatives:

• The Only branch directly elected by voters

• Elected every 2 years

• smaller districts = more accountability

Requirements

• 25 years old

• citizen for 7 years

• resident of the state you want to represent

Structure

• more rules

• debate time limited

• leader: speaker of the house, majority/minority leaders, whips?

The Senate: The upper chamber

• More stable and insulated

• terms: 6 years, staggered 1/3 up for election every 2 years

• The 17th Amendment changed to direct election by voters

Requirements

• 30 years old

• Citizen for 9 years

• resident of the state

Nickname

• Millionaries billionaires club

• fewer members and prestigious

Structure

• fewer rules

• More debate

• filibuster and cloture

Three broad categories of power

Lawmaking: Pass laws shaped by party leadership and the two-party system

Budgeting: sets the federal budget by appropriating funds, pork barrel spending, funding directed to legal projects, and logrolling, trading votes to pass bills

oversight: Trading votes to pass bills

Enumerated powers: Article 1, Section 8

Checks and Balances:

War Powers: Congress declares war, Senate ratifies treaties, president is the Commander-in-Chief.

Judicial Authority: Congress creates courts, Senate confirms judges

Appointments: Senate confirms ambassadors, cabinet members, and federal judges

Impeachment: The House charges, the Senate holds trials, and convicts