HELP WANTED
Do you have what it takes to be part of H.o.R. or Senate?
House of Representative or Senate
The House of Representatives has 435 representatives, which varies by how many people live in each state. Only the House can introduce spending bills.
The Senate has 100 members, which doesn't vary by how many people live in each state.
only the Senate can approve or reject treaties
- only the Senate can approve or reject Presidential nominations for government offices
Job Requirements
(Check all that apply)
- at least 25 years old
- a citizen for at least 7 years
- you must live in the state you wish to represent
If you wish to be a member of the Senate you must be:
(Check all that apply)
- at least 30 years old
- a citizen for 9 years
- you again must live in the state you want to represent
Things You Must Be Aware Of Before Taking the Job
- enacting Legislation
- confirming or rejecting Presidential appointments
- declaring war
The are some example of delegated and implied powers given to the Legislative Branch. Be prepared to do these things relating this if you get the job.
You must also know how a bill gets turned into a law. A bill is a "rough draft" of an idea of a law.
- First, the bill is supported by a member of Congress
- Then Congress will argue whether the bill should be a law, tweek it a little bit maybe and give it to the House of Representatives
- The Representatives do the same thing as Congress, and then pass it on to Senate.
- Senate does the same thing, and then pass it on to the President if it is approved by them.
- The President signs it, and it becomes a law.
**** When the President doesn't approve of the law and not sign it, it's called a "veto". Then it goes through the whole process again (this time 2/3 of the House and Senate need to approve of the law)
Also, if you wish to be in the House of Representatives one term is 2 years, but there is no limit to the amount of terms you choose to serve.
If you wish to be a member of the Senate, one of your terms would be 6 years , and there is no limit to the amount of terms you choose to serve.
Important People You Need to Know:
Speaker of House: Paul D. Ryan
"Leader" of the House of Representatives.
3rd in place for the presidency.
Constitutionally Mandated Officer/Vice President:
Senate
Vice President Joseph Biden runs meetings, and votes in the case of a tie.My Senators/Representatives
House of Representatives Representative of my district: Niki Tsongas
Senate My senators: Elizabeth Warrens, Edward Markey
More Important People
Republic Leader: Kevin McCarthy
- Democrat Leader: Nancy Pelosi
Senate:
Constitutionally Mandated Officer/ President Pro Tempore: (Republican)Orrin Hatch (Utah)
Party of the Senate/Majority Leader: (Republican) Mitch McConnell
Democratic (Minority) Leader: Harry Reid
SOURCES
Congress Photo: "The Legislative Branch." The White House. The White House, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015. <https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/legislative-branch>.
Paul D. Ryan Photo: "The Voter's Self Defense System." Project Vote Smart. Paul, n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015. <https://votesmart.org/candidate/26344/paul-ryan#.VmY6w-ODGko>.
Joseph Biden Photo: "Time For Kids." Time For Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015. <http://www.timeforkids.com/>.
Information:
- "Congress for Kids: [Legislative Branch]: Introduction to the Legislative Branch." Congress for Kids: [Legislative Branch]: Introduction to the Legislative Branch. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015. <http://www.congressforkids.net/Legislativebranch_index.htm>.
- "United States Government." US Government for Kids: Legislative Branch. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015. <http://www.ducksters.com/history/us_legislative_branch.php>.
- "Branches of Government." Branches of Government. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015. <https://www.usa.gov/branches-of-government>.
- "US Government." For Kids: How Laws Are Made. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015. <http://www.ducksters.com/history/us_government/how_laws_are_made.php>.