2 Houses in Congress

• House of Representatives & Senate

  • Create laws & taxes

Legislative Branch -- House of Representatives

• 435 rep split among 50 states

• @ least 25 yrs...citizen of state 7 yrs

• Shorter term to focus on immediate concerns of people (Why would it be important to have the H.o.R. focus on this?)

Legislative Branch -- Powers of the House

• Starts bills to give $$$ for the gov't

• Impeach federal judges

• Elects President in case of an Electoral College tie

Legislative Branch -- Senate

• 100 senators -- 2 per state

• @ least 30 .... citizen 9 yrs

• elected every 6 yrs...focus on future (Why would this be an important part of the Senate?)

Legislative Branch -- Senate Powers

• Approves Presidential appointments (What might this mean?)

• Approves treaties

Legislative Branch -- Various Jobs (Both Sides)

• Makes & changes laws

• Investigates

• Says where $$$ goes

• Declares war

• House impeaches...Senate acts as jury to those impeached

Steps to Turning a Bill into a Law

• Introduce Bill in House or Senate

• Goes to Committees (sub first, then bigger one)

• Back to first House

• Sent to other House..create their own version of bill

• Committee from both Houses merges 'bills'

• President either signs or doesn't sign (2/3's rule......)