American Government Lecture Two

Government "jargon" of the day: "divided government," which means control of part of the legislative and executive branches by one political, and control of some parts of the legislative and executive branches by the other political party.

Congress

Congress represents the first branch of government: the legislative branch. It passes the laws, raises and spends money, declares war, and is responsible for other major functions of government such as regulating commerce among the various states.

Article I of the U.S. Constitution defines and limits the powers of Congress.

Congress has two entities: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives, or simply the "House", consists of 435 members and is led by the "Speaker of the House," who is currently the Democrat Nancy Pelosi.

The power of the House derives from its constitutional responsibility in drafting and proposing all spending bills.

If the Republicans capture a majority of the House in the 2010 elections, then the new Speaker of the House will be a Republican rather than a Democrat.

Homework

1. May communities lawfully create their own currency (money) in the United States as competition to dollar bills? Include a discussion of the Constitution in your answer.

(suggested questions are welcome)

Question suggestion: "Why do you think Constitution Day is not celebrated as much as perhaps it should be in recent years?" Question suggestion: "Do you think having Stephen Colbert testify before a Congressional committee makes a mockery of the institution?"