Article I Legislature

Legislative Branch

• The U.S. Congress is made up of two parts, the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress meets at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Its primary duty is to write, debate, and pass bills, which are then passed on to the President for approval.

• House of Representatives• Representation based on population :

435 members + 3 from DC• At least 1 representative• Elected by people for 2 yr term• Age 25 , citizen 7 yrs and resident of

state• Leader is speaker of house elected by

the members / duty is to regulate debates and control agenda

How the Government Works

• Senate- based on equal representation

• 2 per state• 6 year terms• Age 30, citizen 9 yrs , resident of

state• Vice president is president of

senate- votes only in a tie

How a Bill becomes a law

• http://www.learn360.com/ShowVideo.aspx?ID=640177

Duties

• Collect taxes• Borrow money• Rules of naturalization• Coin Money/ Punish counterfeiting• Establish post offices• Override presidents veto• Regulate commerce • Makes laws controlling trade between

states and between the United States and other countries.

• Define and punish piracy on the high seas

• Raises and supports armed forces• Can declare war on other countries.• Approves treaties • Encourage science and useful arts• Establish lower courts• Impeach and remove PRESIDENT AND

OTHER OFFICIALS

Elastic Clause

• The Necessary and Proper Clause (also known as the Elastic Clause, the Basket Clause, the Coefficient Clause, and the Sweeping Clause) is the provision in Article One of the United States Constitution, section 8, clause 18:

• The Congress shall have Power - To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the Foregoing powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Congressional Committees

• Committees deal with specific subjects

• Based on seniority and controlling party

• Defense, education, taxation, foreign affairs, agriculture science (22 in house and 16 in senate)