lecture recording on 12 March 2025 at 13.38.49 PM

Introduction to Unit Three

• Focuses on the three branches of government and their powers.

• Exam preparations for the legislative and executive branches, including Congress and the President's bureaucracy.

• Upcoming assessment before campaign project presentations.

• Study of the judicial branch post-spring break.

Federalist Papers

• Reference to Federalist Paper number 51, written by James Madison, discussing checks and balances and separation of powers.

• Importance of this paper in understanding congressional powers.

Bicameral Legislature

• Congress is bicameral; it consists of two chambers:

  • House of Representatives

  • Senate

• Comparison to the British Parliament, noting similarities and differences:

  • House of Lords (Senate): Models of higher power and prestige.

  • House of Commons (House of Representatives): Represents the common populace.

• Explanation of the "cup and saucer" analogy:

  • House as the cup: intense, shorter terms (2 years), 435 members.

  • Senate as the saucer: balanced, longer terms (6 years), 100 members.

Main Powers of Congress

• The primary power of Congress is to pass legislation and create laws.

Qualifications for Congress

House of Representatives

• Minimum age: 25 years old.

• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years.

• Residence: Must reside in the U.S. for 7 consecutive years.

• Naturalization: Not required to be born in the U.S., can be a naturalized citizen.

  • Note: Only the President must be a natural-born citizen.

• Importance of residency: Ensures representatives understand the issues faced by constituents.

Senate

• Minimum age: 30 years old; reflects the higher prestige and power.

• Similar qualification of citizenship and residency as representatives but requires a greater age due to assumed experience and wisdom.

• Notable mention that many senators use their experience as a stepping stone to the presidency.