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Understanding the Legislative Branch: Congress, Governance, and Impeachment

The legislative branch of government, primarily embodied by Congress, plays a vital role in law-making, tax collection, and governance. Comprised of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, Congress has various powers and responsibilities, including impeaching officials, approving treaties, and conducting oversight. The process of how a bill becomes law involves several stages, including committee referral, hearings, and votes. Additionally, the complexities of gerrymandering, expressed powers, and the roles of key congressional figures illustrate the intricacies of governance in the United States.

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Understanding the Legislative Branch: Congress, Governance, and Impeachment

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  1. Our Legislative Branch: Congress

  2. Legislative Branch: • Local Gov’t: borough council or township supervisors • State Gov’t: PA House & Senate • National Gov’t: US House & Senate

  3. Each state gets 2 Senators • House is broken into “districts” • House lines “redrawn” every 10 years • Gerrymandering:

  4. Powers of Congress • Expressed Powers: Article I, Section 8 • Create laws, collect taxes, borrow & coin money, declare war, govern DC • Elastic Clause • Immunity • Franking Privilege • Approve all treaties • Approve Presidential appointments (Secretaries, ambassadors, judges) • Break tied Presidential elections (House chooses Prez) • Can impeach members of government

  5. Congressional Oversight • Congress’ ability to investigate and “fix” problems in the nation • Examples: • Steroids in baseball • Hurricane Katrina • 9/11

  6. Impeachment • To be impeached means ________________ • Step 1: Indicted in House (51%) vote • Step 2: Trial in Senate • Operates like normal trial with prosecutors & defense • VP is judge unless President is on trial—then it is SC Chief Justice • Guilty verdict requires 66 votes (2/3) • If guilty, removal from office occurs

  7. Andrew Johnson • Impeached in 1868 for illegally firing & replacing the Secretary of War • Senate fell 1 vote shy of removal

  8. Bill Clinton • 1998—Ken Starr finished investigation • Was looking for wrongdoing in “Whitewater” scandal • Lewinsky worked @ White House from 1995-1996 • Affair from 1995-1997 • Discussed affair with friend Linda Tripp • Impeached in 1998 & found not guilty in 1999 • Accused of perjury • Only 50 guilty votes in Senate

  9. Limits on Congress • Cannot: • Pass ex post facto laws • Pass bill of attainders • Suspend habeas corpus • Unless in time of invasion or rebellion

  10. Organization of Senate • President of the Senate: Joe Biden (D); DE • President Pro Temp: Daniel Inouye (D); HI • Majority leader: Harry Reid (D); NV • Minority leader: Mitch McConnell (R); KY • Majority whip • Minority whip

  11. Organization of House • Speaker of the House: John Boehner (R); OH • Majority leader: Eric Cantor (R); VA • Minority leader: Nancy Pelosi (D); CA • Majority whip: • Minority whip:

  12. Our Representatives • Senators: • Bob Casey (D)—Scranton • Pat Toomey (R)—Zionsville (Lehigh County) • House member: • Glenn Thompson (R); 5thdistrict—State College

  13. Organization of PA Congress • Senate: 50 districts • President Pro Temp • Joe Scarnati (R); Brockway • House: 203 districts

  14. Committees • Committee: • Types: • Appropriations • Standing • Subcommittee • Joint/conference • Select • Membership requirements • Leadership requirements

  15. There are two things you never want to see being made. Sausage is one. Laws are the other.

  16. How a Bill Becomes a Law • Eureka moment • Referral to committee • Hearings • Markup • Floor consideration • Both chambers must vote on it • Debate/discussion • Filibuster in Senate • Cloture • Roll-call vote • Quorum needed

  17. What makes Congressmen vote the way they do? • Personal Beliefs • Constituent interests • Interest groups/lobbyists • Political Party loyalty

  18. Presidential action • Sign it • Ignore it for 10 days • Veto it • Pocket veto • Line-item veto

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