Section Outline 1 of 9 The Legislative Branch Section 1: The Members of Congress I.The Responsibilities of Lawmaking II.Members of Congress at Work III.Representatives and Senators IV.Requirements, Salary, and Benefits Color Transparency: How a Bill Becomes a Law Section Reading Support Transparency

2 of 9 The Legislative Branch Section 1: The Members of Congress Main Idea The legislative branch of the United States government is called the Congress. Laws are made by 100 Senators and 435 representatives. Key Terms Constituents Bill Interest group Lobbyists Congressional district

Responsibilities of Lawmaking Local vs. National Needs —Members of Congress are responsible to The nation Their constituents (the people represented by a member of Congress) Their political party 3 of 9 The Legislative Branch Section 1: The Members of Congress Political Parties —Groups that work to get their members elected to office. Interest Groups —Groups of people who work together to reach a common political goal. —Interest groups provide money and votes. Lobbyists —People who represent interest groups —Lobbyists try to influence the way members of Congress vote.

4 of 9 The Legislative Branch Section 1: The Members of Congress Members of Congress at Work What Do Members of Congress Do? —Learn about issues which they must vote on. —Be present on the floor of the House or Senate chamber as much as possible. —Listen to or give speeches. —Prepare bills and vote on bills. —Go to many meetings. —Study reports and read letters from constituents.

5 of 9 The Legislative Branch Section 1: The Members of Congress Representatives and Senators Representatives —The area that a member of the House represents is called a congressional district. The state’s population determines the number of congressional districts and subsequent representatives. —There are 435 representatives; each serves a two-year term. Senators —There are 50 senators (two for each state); each serves a six-year term. The Seventeenth Amendment, 1913 —States directly elect members of the Senate.

6 of 9 The Legislative Branch Section 1: The Members of Congress Requirements, Salary, and Benefits Requirements: —Must live in the states in which they are elected. —Representatives must be 25 years old and have a minimum of seven years citizenship. —Senators must be 30 years old and have a minimum of nine years citizenship. Salary (2003 figures) —Members of Congress make somewhere between $154,700–$198,600 per year. —Members of Congress get allowances and other perks.

7 of 9 The Legislative Branch: Section 1 Color Transparency: How a Bill Becomes a Law

8 of 9 The Legislative Branch: Section 1 Color Transparency: How a Bill Becomes a Law 1. In what two places can a bill be started? A bill can be started in the House of Representatives or in the Senate. 2. What three actions can the President take on a bill sent from Congress? The President can sign the bill, can allow it to become law without signing it, or can veto the bill.

9 of 9 The Legislative Branch: Section 1 Section Reading Support Transparency