Unit 4: Legislative Branch
Essential Questions
1. Identify and explain the organization of the Legislature.
The Legislative Branch is divided into two houses. The upper house is the Senate, with 100 members and the lower house is the House of Representatives, with 435 members. The number of members in the Senate is based off of 2 representatives for each state. While the number of members in the House is based off of population. The minimum age requirement to be in the Senate is 30, while the minim,um age requirement to be in the House is 25.
2. Identify and provide an example of the powers of the Legislature, both formal and informal.
Formal Powers: powers that are specifically stated in the Constitution.
Congress makes laws, Executive Branch carries out the laws, and the Judiciary Branch Evaluates the laws. Each branch has the power to check on each other with the checks and balances, which is placed in order to maintain a balance of power. The three branches of government serve as checks on bureaucracy. Congress monitors the spending of the bureaucratic agencies and has to approve everything that they do.
4. Discuss the functions that Congress performs.
Congress has several functions: to make laws, helping constituents, provide oversight, educate the public, and represent the people. These are important in order to maintain balance and order.
5. Identify how the power of the Congress has/may evolve gradually.
Powers of Congress has evolved over time due to the necessary and proper clause. It expands their powers beyond what is specifically stated in the Constitution.
6. Identify and discuss the ties between the Congress and interest groups.
Congressmen want to enact laws that would immediately benefit themselves. They support certain interest groups in order to pass laws. In return for helping interest groups, they contribute funds to the Congressmen's campaign and help them gain large "voting blocks".
7 Identify and discuss the ties between the Congress and media.
Media is an important element for Congress. Media helps connect Congress to their constituents and helps them inform the public on topics/ issues they are working for.
The Legislative Branch is divided into two houses. The upper house is the Senate, with 100 members and the lower house is the House of Representatives, with 435 members. The number of members in the Senate is based off of 2 representatives for each state. While the number of members in the House is based off of population. The minimum age requirement to be in the Senate is 30, while the minim,um age requirement to be in the House is 25.
2. Identify and provide an example of the powers of the Legislature, both formal and informal.
Formal Powers: powers that are specifically stated in the Constitution.
- Override Vetoes: For example, the senate and house overrode Bush's Presidential Veto of the Water Projects in 2007.
- Declare War: For example, in 1941, Congress declared war on Japan due to an attack on the U.S.
- Impeachment of President: For example, Bill Clinton was impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice.
- Holding Hearings: For example, when the House held a hearing on the Department of Energy "whistle-blower retaliation".
- Negotiation of Possible Changes to Laws: For example, when both the House and Senate supported the motion to change the sentencing laws in January of 2014.
Congress makes laws, Executive Branch carries out the laws, and the Judiciary Branch Evaluates the laws. Each branch has the power to check on each other with the checks and balances, which is placed in order to maintain a balance of power. The three branches of government serve as checks on bureaucracy. Congress monitors the spending of the bureaucratic agencies and has to approve everything that they do.
4. Discuss the functions that Congress performs.
Congress has several functions: to make laws, helping constituents, provide oversight, educate the public, and represent the people. These are important in order to maintain balance and order.
5. Identify how the power of the Congress has/may evolve gradually.
Powers of Congress has evolved over time due to the necessary and proper clause. It expands their powers beyond what is specifically stated in the Constitution.
6. Identify and discuss the ties between the Congress and interest groups.
Congressmen want to enact laws that would immediately benefit themselves. They support certain interest groups in order to pass laws. In return for helping interest groups, they contribute funds to the Congressmen's campaign and help them gain large "voting blocks".
7 Identify and discuss the ties between the Congress and media.
Media is an important element for Congress. Media helps connect Congress to their constituents and helps them inform the public on topics/ issues they are working for.