1. INTRODUCTION TO CONGRESS
Mr. Geib and Mr. Fitz-Patrick
12th Grade Gov. and Econ.
December 9, 2014

2. STRUCTURE OF CONGRESS
• “Bicameral” legislature
– House of
Representatives
– The Senate
• Every 10 years a
census, House
changes to reflect
population.
– But House is always
435 seats
– Two senators per state

3. “CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS”
• After census, states
are supposed to
create new
“congressional
districts” of roughly
equal population.
– States do this
– Party control of state
often leads to
“gerrymandering.”
– Controversial
“Gerrymandered” 4th Congressional
District in Illinois sometimes called,
"The Horseshoe."

4. HOUSE VERSUS SENATE
The “lower” and “upper” houses.
• All 435 seats up for
election every two years
in House
– At least 25 years of age
and resident in
Congressional district
• 1/3rd of Senate up for
reelection every two
years
– Six year terms
– At least 30 years of age
Elections to the Senate more
competitive, expensive, and high
profile than in House.

5. HOUSE RESPONSIBILITIES
• Only House can
initiate tax and
spending bills.
– House Ways and
Means Committee
– Senate can only
amend such bills.
• Founding Fathers
had a fear of the
power inherent in
legislatures

6. SENATE RESPONSIBILITIES
• Only Senate can
confirm
nominations to
federal courts and
ambassadors to
foreign countries.
• Only Senate can
ratify treaties

7. Requirements for Holding
Federal Office
Must reside
in state in
which
elected
SENATOR
30 years old
9 years
ci tizenship
REPRESENTATIVE
25 years
Must reisde
in state in
which
elected
7 years
ci tieznship

8. Requirements for Holding
Federal Office
PRESIDENT
OF UNITED
STATES
35 years
14 years in
the United
States
SUPREME
COURT
JUSTICE
No specific
requirements

9. NEED BOTH HOUSES FOR…
• Taxing and borrowing
money
• Regulating commerce
• Raising an army and
militia and declare war
• Naturalization laws
• Post offices
• And any law deemed
“necessary and proper”
The “legislative process”

10. THE CHECKS AND BALANCES

11. WHAT CONGRESS CANNOT DO
• No bills of attainder
(law proclaiming
persons guilty of
crime without trial)
• No ex post facto
laws (punish people
for actions before
law made criminal.)
• No export taxes
• No titles of nobility

12. NON-LEGISLATIVE TASKS
• Oversight through
committees and
subcommittees of
work of federal
agencies.
• Hearing and floor
debates on public
issues.
• Representing
constituents within the
gov’t.
Congressman Adam Schiff (CA.- D.) of
Los Angeles congratulates the Service
Academy appointees from the 28th
Congressional District for the Class of
2016.