The Legislative Branch
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The Legislative Branch is separated into two parts: The House of Representatives and the Senate. Together, these chambers are called Congress. Both of the chambers are equally important, but they both have different roles to play. However, the common goal is to make laws that the Executive Branch carry out. These legislators are elected by the people, and they form the laws that all citizens have to abide by. In the following sections, you will learn about both parts of the Legislative Branch.
The Senate
The Senate is the "more powerful" chamber of the two, mainly because it has equal representation from each state. In the Senate, there are two representatives from each state, which makes a total of 100 Senators. Some jobs of the Senate are to approve the people that the president appoints, such as secretaries of departments or Supreme Court Judges. To be a Senator, the candidate must be at least 30, and they have had to be a US citizen for at least nine years. In the Senate, each term is six years, which is longer than both the HoR and the President's term. When voting in the Senate, the vote has to pass with a 2/3rds passing rate.
The House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is the "less powerful" of the two chambers. There are currently 435 representatives in the HoR. The biggest difference between this chamber and the Senate is that the HoR is made of representation based off of population. Both chambers can start a bill, but The House of Representatives is the only chamber that can start a bill that has to do with money. This can deal with anything from taxes to a bond. To be in the House of Representatives, the candidate must be at least 25 and have been a US citizen for at least 7 years. Each member only serves a term of 2 years. When the HoR votes on something, the ruling goes by the majority.
Together is Always Better
While both of these chambers are powerful own there own, they need each other to reach their full potential. Both parties are able to impeach the president, but the other chamber must approve this before the process moves forward. The only way a bill can become a law is if both chambers agree. I only one chamber agrees, but the other one doesn't, it's game over for that bill. There are some special rules for the members of congress while it is in session. For example, while Congress is in session, a member cannot be arrested for what he/she does in there. Congress is a very important part of the US Government.
Section Review
- The Legislative Branch is split into two part: The Senate and The House of Representatives
- This Branch make the laws for the Executive Branch to enforce
- The Senate and The HoR both have important duties
- Together, however, the Chambers are able to be the yin to the yang.
- The Chambers make bill which eventually become laws
Vocab
Chambers: What each individual part of the branch is called
Legislators: The people who make the laws
Representatives: The candidates from each state that represent the state in the legislative branch.
Impeach: To find the President guilty of something and taking him away from the place of presidency.
Legislators: The people who make the laws
Representatives: The candidates from each state that represent the state in the legislative branch.
Impeach: To find the President guilty of something and taking him away from the place of presidency.
Review Questions
- What are the two chambers in the Legislative Branch? The Senate and the House of Representatives
- What is the main of of the Legislative Branch? To make laws
- How many people are in the Senate? 100
- How many people are in the House of Representatives? 435
- What can only the House of Representatives do? Start Bills that have to do with money.