StandardsGov.8A: analyze the structure and functions of the legislative branch of government, including the bicameral structure of Congress, the role of committees, and the procedure for enacting laws. 6% of ACP
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Key Terms, Concepts, and People
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Parts of Congress
Bicameral- Two Houses. Great Compromise - Created the Senate to be equal votes per State (New Jersey Plan) and the House of Representatives to be based on population (Virginia Plan). |
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Who does Congress work for?
Represent their constituents!
Congress works for the people NOT the President and NOT their political party.
Congress works for the people NOT the President and NOT their political party.
Article 1
Establishes the Legislative Branch (congress), and lays out it's powers and limitations.
Enumerated Powers (article 1 section 8)
Implied Powers
Inherent Powers
- The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
- To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
- To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
- To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
- To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
- To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
- To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;
- To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
- To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
- To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;
- To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
- To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
- To provide and maintain a Navy;
- To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
- To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
- To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
- To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And 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.
Implied Powers
- The necessary and proper clause gives Congress the power to make laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the delegated duties
- Also known as the ‘elastic clause’ it stretches the power given Congress
Inherent Powers
- Powers said to be inherent to the idea of government
- Include power to control national borders, acquire new territories, defend the state from revolution
Differences between The House and The Senate
The House of Representatives
Qualifications
Special Powers of the House
Leadership of the House
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The Senate
Qualifications
Special Powers of the Senate
Leadership of the Senate
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The Legislative Process
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Other Resources
US House of Rep. www.house.gov US Senate www.senate.gov Follow Congressional Votes https://www.govtrack.us/ Try your hand at Passing a Law https://www.icivics.org/games/lawcraft |
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