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Exploring the structure, functions, and processes of the Legislative Branch in the United States Congress. Learn about how laws are made, the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate, requirements for representatives and senators, checks and balances, and the ratification of amendments through detailed explanations. Dive into the significance of the Bill of Rights and the fundamental rights it protects for citizens.
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Legislative Branch Makes the Laws
The Basics • Legislative Branch=Congress, which is divided into the House of Representatives & the Senate (bicameral) • Representatives (House) are elected according to a state’s population and Senators are elected 2 per state • Representatives=435 Senators=100 • Representatives elected every 2 years • Senators elected every 6 years
Requirements • House of Representatives • Must be at least 25 yrs. old • Must be a citizen of the United States for at least 7 years • Must live in the state in which he/she is elected • Senate • Must be at least 30 years old • Must have been a citizen of the United States for at least 9 years • Must live in the state in which he/she is elected
Checks & Balances • Can impeach elected officials (put them on trial for wrong-doing) • Can override a President’s veto • Must approve the President’s selections for judges and other officials
How a Bill Becomes a Law There is a simple process Congress must use to make laws. • A member of Congress (either the House or the Senate) must propose a bill. • The bill must then go to committee. • The committee in each house must review it and possibly edit it. • If the either committee dislikes the bill, they can “kill it” or refuse to bring it to a vote. • Once the bill passes through each committee, different versions may exist. A joint committee (House and Senate) must agree to the same language for the bill.
How a Bill Becomes a Law • The bill then goes to each house for a vote. • It must pass with a majority of 51% in each house to move on to the next step. • The President must either sign the bill or veto it. • If the President vetoes the bill, Congress can override it. Each house must vote to override the veto with a 2/3 majority vote.
How an Amendment is Ratified • There are two ways an amendment can be proposed. • Congress • Both the House and the Senate must approve the proposal by a 2/3 majority (Most Common) • State Convention • At a convention called by 2/3 of the States • After an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified (approved). This can be done in two ways. • State Legislatures (Most Common) • ¾ of the State Legislatures approve • State Conventions • ¾ of the State Conventions approve
Bill of Rights • Many of the Framers refused to support a new Constitution unless it guaranteed rights for individuals called the Bill of Rights. • The first 10 amendments are called the Bill of Rights. • These are your MOST BASIC rights as a citizen!!! • We will study these more next week!