The Legislative

We have a bicameral legislature (meaning 2 parts)

House of Representatives + Senate = Congress

Representation is based on a states' population (census data)

Each state is guaranteed AT LEAST one representative

Reps. are elected every 2 years and must be at least 25 years old

There are no term limits for Representatives

Representatives must maintain a residence in both Washington D.C. and their home state

Representatives only represent the specific district in their state that elected them

Florida is split into 28 different districts

Number of senators from each state is ALWAYS two (no matter what the population is)

Senators must be at least 30 years old

Senators are elected every 6 years

There are no term limits for senators

Senators also must maintain a residence in the state that elects them and Washington D.C.

Unlike Representatives, Senators serve their entire state (not just one single district within their state)

​These are the 2 current Alabama Senators - Richard Shelby and Tommy Tuberville

Marco Rubio * Rick Scott

Both Senators and Representatives must be U.S. citizens (at least 9 years)

Both Senators and Representatives must be citizens of the state that elects them

A bill (or rough draft of a law) can be started be either the Senate or House of Representatives

ex. to raise and support an armed force

IMPLIED POWERS - are powers Congress has that aren't specifically spelled out in the Constitution

ex. to create a military draft