Article I Legislative Branch

Article I Legislative BranchSections 1-6

Section1: CongressMade up of 2 chambersHouse of RepresentativesSenateHas the power TO MAKE LAWS

Section 2: House of Representatives

Represents the will of the people

Number of representatives is based on population (proportional representation)Originally 1: 34,000Now 1: 710,767RI 1:527,624MT 1:994,416

Section 2: House of Representatives

Census is taken every ten years to ensure accuracyNumber of representatives is frozen at 435 (1910)5 non-voting delegatesWashington, DCPuerto RicoGuamAmerican SomoaVirgin IslandsSpeaker of the houseMost powerful member of the houseJohn BoehnerR-Ohio

ImpeachmentHouse of Representatives has sole power of impeachment

Impeachment: charging a government official with a crime or other serious wrongdoing.It does not mean removal from officeSection 3: Senate( Represents the will of the state)2 senators from each stateEqual representation100 total senators1/3 of senators are up for re-election every 2 yearsThe entire Senate is never elected in a single yearVice-President presides over the SenateOnly votes when a tie occurs

This has changed over the years. Vice-president rarely attends Senate meetings now.President pro tempore is in charge of the Senate for the most partImpeachmentThe Senate tries officials that the House believes is worthy of impeachmentA trial is held and the Senate decides on the guilt or innocence of the official on trialChief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over impeachment trialsSenators act as jurorsthe Senate can decide to remove the official from officeafter that, the official may stand trial in a criminal or civil court of law

General electionFirst Tuesday, following the first Monday, in the month of November of even numbered years Secret Ballot

Meeting of Congress Meets once a year beginning on January 3rd112th Congress

Must have a quorum to meet

Congressional RecordCertain procedures can be kept secret but if 1/5 of the House requests the information be made public knowledge, the records are published

Privileges and RestrictionsCongress members determine their own pay scale.$174,000 general members$193,400 leaders$223,500 Speaker of the HouseMany take pay cuts when they are sworn inMake more money in the private sectorPrivileges and RestrictionMembers enjoy freedom of arrest during the session Except in cases of treason or a different serious crime

Members of Congress can not hold other jobs or resign to take another job