Hsa Review_Unit Four

HSA Review: Unit Four

Making Congressional Districts Timeline

1. National Government takes census (population count) every 10 years

2. Using the census data, the national govt. reapportions (divides up) the how many seats/districts each state receives in the House of Representatives

3. Using the reapportionment info, states must create US Congressional districts of equal population.

4. Many States redistrict using controversial methods to help the majority political party in state legislature process called Gerrymandering

Congressional Redistricting* Role of States:

- States redistrict draw new Congressional boundaries based upon new census data every 10 years

USA Congress = Bicameral Legislature(1) Bicameral Meaning 2 CHAMBERS (2) Main Function of Legislative Branch = Make Laws

1. Bill = suggested new Law

2. Lawmaking Process = many steps in lawmaking (like assembly line)

3. The Law = If both chambers & President signs, the bill becomes law

Influencing the Lawmaking Process1. Constituents (the people):

- write letters, sign petitions, meet with representatives, vote in referendums

2. Media:

- give an issue little or lots of attention

3. Interest Groups:

- persuade lawmakers to make bills to help their own interests

- Donate to campaigns via PAC’s!

Enumerated Congressional PowersPages 157-161, Chart on 159 will be best help Explain in your own words the meaning of these powers

*Short Definition of Enumerated powers: specific Congressional powers in the Constitution

Money Powers

Military and Foreign Policy Powers

Commerce (trade) Powers

* collect taxes “power of the purse”

* regulates & prints money

* Declare war

* raise/support army & navy

* regulate foreign and interstate (between states) commerce

Necessary and Proper Congressional PowersPages 157-161, Chart on 159 will be best help Explain in your own words the meaning of these powers

Necessary and Proper Money Powers

Necessary and Proper Commerce (Business) Powers

Necessary and Proper Military & Foreign Policy Powers

Necessary and Proper Other Legislative Powers

1. Short Definition of Necessary and Proper powers : Powers Congress can do beyond their specific powers

2. Nickname of Necessary and Proper Clause: Elastic Clause

* Entitlements, public schools, Medicare, Medicaid, public housing

* Create a military draft

* regulate immigration laws

* Prevent discrimination in

businesses, restaurants

The Basics

1. Civil Rights: political rights & freedoms guaranteed by Constitution for ALL Americans

2. Discrimination: Prejudice, usually based on race, religion, class, gender, disability, age.

Ending Racial & Gender Discrimination

* Civil Rights Act (1964):

Employers, Schools, Businesses cannot discriminate based on race/gender/religion

* Voting Rights Act (1965): forbids states from discriminately preventing citizens from voting - Bans poll taxes & literacy tests

Civil Rights Act of 1964 excerpt

“All persons shall be entitled to full and equal employment of the…services…of any place of public accommodation…without discrimination or segregation on the grounds of race, color, religion, or national origin.”

* What does this mean? Underline the key words

Political Cartoon* Women make up 51% of

population Only 36.4 percent of managers = Women (2002)

* For every $1 men make, women make about $.80

* Why do you think women historically make less money than men?

Ending Gender Discrimination * Higher Education Act Title IX

(1972): Forbids gender discrimination in any educational program - includes school sports- spur growth of women sports

*What is the opportunity cost of spending more money on women’s sports?

Ending Disability Discrimination

* Americans with Disabilities Act (1990): Forbids discrimination against disabled people

* Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1997): guarantees all disabled children access to a free and appropriate public education

Civil Rights Practice 1. Ellis feels that he shouldn’t have to take a

literacy test in order to vote, however, the poll judge won’t let him vote until he proves he can read.

2. Juanita is frustrated that the boy’s soccer team gets new uniforms and cleats this season, while the girl’s team must wear smelly old uniforms and cleats.

Civil Rights Practice3. Norman Najaf walks into KFC after school.

Norman overhears two workers making jokes about his skin color.

4. Crystal Cumpleaños recently broke her leg and uses a wheel chair. Crystal is annoyed that the mall does not have an elevator to make her shopping experience more pleasant.

5. Reggie Randall has legal documents that require him to have extra time taking tests, but his teacher refuses to let Reggie have extra time.

Nonlegislative Powers = Non-Lawmaking Powers

1. Choose a President:- If no presidential candidate receives a majority of electoral votes—the House chooses the President, Senate chooses the Vice President

2. Removal Power:- House can impeach (accuse) the President of wrongdoing- If impeached, the Senate conducts the trial

Nonlegislative Powers = Non-Lawmaking Powers

3. Ratification Power: - Senate must confirm all treatiesmade with other countries- Senate must confirm (approve)=all presidential appointments

4. Amendment Power:(1) 2/3 of Congress can propose

Constitutional amendments (changes)

(2) 3/4 of States must approve amendments