PowerPoint explaining the basic structure and powers of the Legislative branch.

1. The Legislative Branch
US Government

2. Goals and Objectives
Goals:
Students will understand the
roles and responsibilities of the
Legislative Branch
Objectives:
Students will demonstrate
knowledge of the Legislative
branch through a summative
quiz at the end of the lesson.

3. Journal
In your opinion, how
powerful is the legislative
branch compared to the
other two branches? If
you could be in charge of
any of the three branches,
which would you choose
and why? Explain your
reasoning.

4. Overview

5. Structure of the Legislature
- Established by Article I of the
Constitution
- Legislative branch is run by Congress
- Congress consists of a bicameral
legislature:
- House of Representatives
- Senate
Bicameral: consisting of two branches or chambers

6. Pause for thought…
What do you think are some advantages and
disadvantages to having a bicameral (two house)
legislature? Would it be better to have a unicameral
(one house) legislature? Discuss with a partner.

7. Powers of Congress
- Powers of Congress granted by the Constitution:
- Sole authority to enact legislation
- The right to confirm or reject many Presidential appointments
- Significant investigative powers
Legislation: A law or a collective body of laws

8. From Bill to Law
This video explains the process to creating laws.

9. The Necessary and Proper Clause
- The Necessary and Proper Clause is as follows:
- “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.”
- Essentially, Congress has the power to enact laws that are
deemed necessary and essential
- Also known as the Elastic Clause

10. Pause for thought…
Without an Elastic Clause, would Congress be able to
adapt to changing times? What would the United
States look like today if the Elastic Clause had never
been put in place by the framers of the Constitution?

11. Quick Overview: House vs Senate

12. House of Representatives
- Consists of 435 elected members
- Divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population
- Presiding officer is the Speaker of the House
- Elected by the Representatives
Third in the line of succession to the Presidency
- Members of the House elected every two years
- Must be 25 years of age
- US citizen for at least 7 years
- Resident of the state they represent

13. House of Representatives (Powers)
- Powers granted by the Constitution:
- Power to initiate revenue bills
- Power to impeach federal officials
- Power to elect the President in the case of an electoral college tie
Revenue bills: a bill that focuses on methods for raising money (taxes)
Impeach: to accuse of misconduct in office

14. Senate
- Consists of 100 Senators
- 2 Senators per state
- Elections are staggered
- 1/3 of Senators are up for re-election every two years
- Senator requirements:
- Must be at least 30 years old
- US citizen for at least nine years
- Residents of the state they represent
- Vice President serves as President of the Senate
- May cast the decisive vote in the event of a tie

15. Senate (Powers)
- Powers granted by the Constitution:
- Sole power to confirm Presidential appointments that require
approval
- Power to ratify treaties
- Preside over impeachment cases for federal officials referred
to it by the House
Ratify: to confirm by expressing approval

16. Review (optional summary)