2. The United States
Congress
established in Article I of
the Constitution

3. THE STRUCTURE OF
CONGRESS
THE POWERS OF CONGRESS
THE ORGANIZATION AND
MEMBERSHIP OF CONGRESS

4. ALL
LEGISLATIVE
POWERS

5. Congress is bicameral, which means it
contains two houses
a direct result of the Great Compromise
HOUSESENATE
THE STRUCTURE OF
CONGRESS

6.  Intended to represent the people
 representation based on population
 considered the lower house
 lower prestige
 435 members, each serving a 2 year term
 Also 5 nonvoting members
 all seats are up for re-election every 2 years
 each state has at least 1 member
 representative seats are redistributed or
reapportioned after every 10 year census
 Qualifications - 25 years of age, citizen for 7
years, live in the state that they represent

8.  Intended to represent the states
 representation based on equality
 considered the upper house
 higher prestige
 100 members, serving a 6 year term
 terms are staggered
 each state has 2 members - this does not
change
 Qualifications - 30 years of age, citizen for 9
years, live in the state that they represent

9. Representatives
represent
individual
districts
Senators
represent
the entire
state

11. The powers of
Congress are limited
by the Constitution
There are three types
of congressional
powers
DELEGATED or
ENUMERATED
IMPLIED
NONLEGISLATIVE

12. Lawmaking powers specifically listed in the
Constitution
IN BLACK AND WHITE (I, 8, 1 – I, 8, 17)
Taxing power (1,8,1)
Borrowing power (1,8,2)
Commerce power (I,8,3 - it’s big!)
Currency power (I,8,5)

13. Lawmaking powers specifically listed in the
Constitution
IN BLACK AND WHITE (I, 8, 1 – I, 8, 17)
War and military power (I,8,11-15)
Bankruptcy power (I,8,4)
Other powers – Copyrights, Lower
Courts, Weights and Measures,
Naturalization, D.C.

15. powers not specifically written
in the Constitution
powers that are necessary
and proper to carry out the
enumerated powers
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18

16. it allows Congress to stretch its power
ELASTIC
CLAUSE

17. Congress can set up a
Post Office (it is
enumerated in the
Constitution)
But what
about
stamps?

18. COMMERCE
PURSE

20. Investigate (both houses)
Impeach (House impeaches,
Senate holds trial)
 confirm Presidential
appointees and treaties
(Senate does this)

21. MINORITY
LEADER
MAJORITY
LEADER
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
MAJORITY
WHIP
MINORITY
WHIP
REST OF HOUSE

22. PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
MINORITY
LEADER
MAJORITY
LEADER
VICE PRESIDENT
MAJORITY
WHIP
MINORITY
WHIP
REST OF SENATE

23. JOURNAL (I, 5, 3)
SALARY (1, 6, 1)
PRIVILEGES &
BENEFITS (1, 6, 1)
PENALTIES – Censure
and expulsion (I, 5, 2)

24. THE 113th CONGRESS

25. 80 male
20 female
355 male
78 female
0 African American
3 Hispanic Americans
2 Asian Americans
0 Native American
44 African Americans
26 Hispanic Americans
9 Asian Americans
1 Native American
45 Republican
53 Democratic
2 Independent (aligned
with Democratic Party)
233 Republican
200 Democratic
2 vacant seats
100 members435 members
SENATEHOUSE