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Created by Angela Zorn @kyteacher

THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

THE ORGANIZATION OF CONGRESS

Essential Standard

Learning Target

HS.C.PR.1 Analyze the role of the three branches of government in the lawmaking process.

We will describe the different structures, powers, & functions of each house in Congress.

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As suggested in the Virginia Plan, each state’s representation in the House of Representatives in based on population.

435 members, 2-year terms of office
Shorter terms require them to be much more responsive to the people who elected them
Represent a portion of their states, making them closer to the issues that people in their districts care about
Restricts debate to an hour per member
Initiates all revenue bills, making members more influential on the budget
Initiates impeachment procedures & passes articles of impeachment

Directions: Use the text box to answer the following questions.

How does its membership influence debate in the House of Representatives?
What are the constitutional duties exclusive to the House of Representatives?

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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As suggested in the New Jersey Plan, each state is represented equally in the Senate.

100 members, 6-year terms of office
Longer terms allow them to be more insulated from public pressure than House members
Represent their states at-large, making them less connected to the people they represent
Allows for unlimited debate among members
Gives “advice & consent” presidential appointments & treaties, making members more influential on foreign affairs
Tries impeached officials

Directions: Use the text box to answer the following questions.

How does its membership influence debate in the Senate?
What are the constitutional duties exclusive to the Senate?

THE SENATE

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Members of Congress enjoy a number of benefits, including:

Salary of $174,000 (more for leadership)
Tax deduction for 2 residences
Money for office staff, trips home, telephones, etc.
Office space, stationary, postage
Low-cost life insurance
Medical coverage
Gym membership
Travel allowance
Free from arrest on the way to or from Congress and in session
Can’t be sued for anything said in session

Directions: Use the text box to answer the following questions.

Question #1
Question #2

CONGRESSIONAL BENEFITS

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WHO SERVES AS THE LEADER OF THE SENATE?

WHAT ROLE DO SENATE MAJORITY & MINORITY LEADERS PLAY?

WHO SERVES AS THE LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES?

WHAT ROLE DO HOUSE MAJORITY & MINORITY LEADERS PLAY?

WHAT ROLE DO MAJORITY & MINORITY WHIPS PLAY?

CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

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Members of Congress should serve a limited number of terms.

TRUE OR FALSE?

Inspired by Amanda Sandoval @historysandoval

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Since 1929, federal law has set the total voting members of the House of Representatives at 435 & created a procedure for automatically apportioning House seats.

Based on the census taken every 10 years
States can gain or lose representatives after each census
After the 2020 census…

Texas gained 2 representatives
California lost 1 representative
Kentucky stayed the same

Directions: Use the text box to answer the following question.

What is apportionment?
How is the number of seats each state gets in the House of Representatives determined?

REPRESENTATION & APPORTIONMENT

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REPRESENTATION & APPORTIONMENT

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Once a state knows how many representatives it gets, its legislature must draw new district boundaries.

This process is called redistricting
By law, each district be geographically contiguous, compact in shape, and roughly equal in population
Today, districts contain about 761,000 people

Often state legislatures use a process called gerrymandering to create oddly shaped districts for political reasons.

Packing—Increasing a groups influence in a single district
Cracking—Dividing a groups influence into multiple districts

Directions: Use the text box to answer the following questions:

How is redistricting different from reapportionment?
How have groups used gerrymandering to gain a political advantage?

REPRESENTATION & APPORTIONMENT

Learn more about the gerrymandering.

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REPRESENTATION & APPORTIONMENT

Possible Redistricting Criteria: Communities of Interest: People in a geographic area that share political, social, or economic interest should remain together Compactness: The principle that people within a district should live as near to one another as practicable Contiguity: The entire district must touch - with the exception of islands or disconnected land masses Minority Representation: Districts should be constructed to prioritize members of minority racial and ethnic communities being grouped together Partisan Outcomes: Districts should be drawn to maximize partisan competition Political Boundaries: Districts should respect neighborhood, city, and county boundaries when possible
	Criterion	Explanation
Priority #1
Priority #2
Priority #3
Priority #4
Priority #5
Priority #6
Based on your preferences above, what reforms to the redistricting process do you propose? How might these reforms be accomplished? Source: Retro Report

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14th

AMENDMENT

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ONE MAN, ONE VOTE

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CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLE

FACTS OF THE CASE

DECISION
INCLUDE SPLIT, AUTHOR OF MAJORITY OPINION, & FINDINGS

CONNECTIONS
INCLUDE KEY TERMS

IMPACT

ARGUMENTS FOR PETITIONER

ARGUMENTS FOR RESPONDENT

BAKER v. CARR

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VOTING RIGHTS ACT

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MAJORITY- MINORITY DISTRICT

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CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLE

FACTS OF THE CASE

DECISION
INCLUDE SPLIT, AUTHOR OF MAJORITY OPINION, & FINDINGS

CONNECTIONS
INCLUDE KEY TERMS

IMPACT

ARGUMENTS FOR PETITIONER

ARGUMENTS FOR RESPONDENT

SHAW v. RENO