Crash Course Government: The U.S. Congress

Introduction

Presenter: Craig from Crash Course
Topic: U.S. Congress, which is the most crucial branch of government according to the Constitution.

Bicameral Legislature: Congress consists of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Constitution Reference: Article I, Section I of the Constitution.

Requirements:
- Age: At least 25 years old
- Citizenship: 7 years
- Residency: Must be a resident of the state represented
Representation: Determined by population.
- No state has fewer than one representative.
- Number of Representatives: 435 total.
Specific Powers:
- Impeachment: The power to impeach federal officials, including the president.
- Presidential Elections: Can decide presidential elections if no candidate wins a majority in the electoral college.
- Revenue Bills: All bills for raising revenue must originate in the House (Power of the Purse).

Requirements:
- Age: At least 30 years old
- Citizenship: 9 years
- Residency: Must be a resident of the state represented.
Representation: Two senators from each state, total of 100 senators.
Specific Powers:
- Impeachment Trials: Holds impeachment trials.
- Treaty Ratification: Ratifies treaties with a 2/3 vote.
- Confirmation Power: Confirms appointments of executive officers and federal judges.

Historical Reason: Due to differing interests of states during Constitution formation.
- Large States: Wanted proportional representation (Virginia Plan).
- Small States: Wanted equal representation (New Jersey Plan).
- Great Compromise: Connecticut Compromise resulted in a bicameral legislature.
Practical Reason: To prevent the legislature from having too much power (Intrabranch Check).
- Federalist 51: James Madison discussed dividing the legislature to avoid concentration of power.

Senate Clone:
- Senators are older and supposed to be more deliberative and dignified.
- Senate acts as a trustee, making decisions based on public interest.
House Clone:
- Representatives act as delegates, reflecting the desires of their constituents.
- Shorter 2-year terms to ensure responsiveness to public opinion.

The basics of the bicameral Congress, including its structure and the reasons behind it.
Future episodes will delve deeper into the functioning of the two houses.
Acknowledgements to PBS Digital Studios and Voqal for supporting Crash Course.