Back to Chapter 1 for a sec… What kind of democracy do we live in? What kind of democracy do we live in? So the people rule, but they don’t make public policy So the people rule, but they don’t make public policy Who does make it? Who does make it?

Bicameral Congress Our Congress is bicameral, meaning it has two houses Our Congress is bicameral, meaning it has two houses The larger house, which is supposedly the “common man’s house,” is the House of Representatives The larger house, which is supposedly the “common man’s house,” is the House of Representatives The smaller house, which is for “the elite” of America is the Senate The smaller house, which is for “the elite” of America is the Senate

Basic Information Since you get new congress members every 2 years, we call each 2 year period a “term” of Congress Since you get new congress members every 2 years, we call each 2 year period a “term” of Congress The terms are numbered consecutively… the one that ended Dec was the 111 th Congress The terms are numbered consecutively… the one that ended Dec was the 111 th Congress The one that started in 2011 is called the 112 th Congress The one that started in 2011 is called the 112 th Congress

Basic Information A session of Congress is all the time it takes to finish their business for the year A session of Congress is all the time it takes to finish their business for the year So how many sessions are there in a term of Congress? So how many sessions are there in a term of Congress?

The House of Representatives

Members of the House of Representatives There are 435 congress members There are 435 congress members Congress members are elected to a term of 2 years Congress members are elected to a term of 2 years There is no limit on how many terms a Representative may serve. There is no limit on how many terms a Representative may serve. Each state is guaranteed at least one seat. Each state is guaranteed at least one seat.

The House of Representatives

Seats in the House Seats are apportioned (given out) to each state based on population Seats are apportioned (given out) to each state based on population Every 10 years seats are reapportioned after the census, when a new count of the population is taken Every 10 years seats are reapportioned after the census, when a new count of the population is taken Ever since 1929, the number has been 435 (Reapportionment Act) Ever since 1929, the number has been 435 (Reapportionment Act)

Seats in the House Every state divides itself into districts based on the number of seats apportioned to the state Every state divides itself into districts based on the number of seats apportioned to the state For example, Arizona is given 8 seats based on our population For example, Arizona is given 8 seats based on our population

Gerrymandering Gerrymandering - drawing districts to the advantage of the political party that controls the State’s legislature Gerrymandering - drawing districts to the advantage of the political party that controls the State’s legislature Gerrymandering is widespread today Gerrymandering is widespread today

The Senate

Members of the Senate There are 100 Senators (2 from each state) There are 100 Senators (2 from each state) Senators are elected to a term of 6 years Senators are elected to a term of 6 years There is no limit on how many terms a Senator may serve. There is no limit on how many terms a Senator may serve. Senators represent an entire state Senators represent an entire state

The Senate

Seats in the Senate The Constitution establishes that there are 2 seats per state in the Senate The Constitution establishes that there are 2 seats per state in the Senate 50 States = 100 Senators 50 States = 100 Senators

What Does it Take to be in the House? 25 years old 25 years old U.S. citizen for at least 7 years U.S. citizen for at least 7 years Must live in the state you are elected in Must live in the state you are elected in Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ 6th)

What Does it Take to be in the Senate? 30 Years Old 30 Years Old U.S. Citizen for 9 Years U.S. Citizen for 9 Years Must live in the state you are elected in Must live in the state you are elected in Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ)

Off-Year Elections In the election years where there is no presidential election (2006, 2010, 2014?), the president’s party usually loses seats in Congress In the election years where there is no presidential election (2006, 2010, 2014?), the president’s party usually loses seats in Congress In 2006 Republicans lost 27 seats in the House and 6 in the Senate

Comparing the House and the Senate Senators have a much longer term Senators have a much longer term Entire House is elected at once, while only 1/3 of Senate is chosen at a time Entire House is elected at once, while only 1/3 of Senate is chosen at a time House members appeal to one small district, Senators appeal to entire state House members appeal to one small district, Senators appeal to entire state

Demographics of Congress Congress is not at all demographically representative of the U.S. population Congress is not at all demographically representative of the U.S. population For example… For example…

Demographics of 112 th Congress U.S. U.S. Males – 49% Males – 49% Females – 51% Females – 51% Congress Congress Males – 83% Females – 17%

Demographics of 112 th Congress U.S. U.S. White – 75% White – 75% Black – 12% Black – 12% Hispanic – 13% Hispanic – 13% Asian – 4% Asian – 4% Native – 1% Native – 1% *Many people qualify as more than 1 race Congress Congress White – 85% Black – 8% Hispanic – 5% Asian – 2% Native – 0%

Demographics of 112 th Congress U.S. U.S. Millionaires – 0.7% Millionaires – 0.7% Non- Millionaires – 99.3% Non- Millionaires – 99.3% Congress Congress Millionaires – 33% Non- Millionaires – 67%

111 th /112 th Congress 09-11/11-13 HouseSenate Democrats255/19356/51 Independents02/2 Republicans179/24142/47 Vacancies1/1

Why is Congress made up of rich, white men? A few reasons: A few reasons: A large proportion of the people that run for political office are rich, white men A large proportion of the people that run for political office are rich, white men It is easier to win if you have a lot of money It is easier to win if you have a lot of money We the people elect these rich, white men into office We the people elect these rich, white men into office

What are the Perks? Senatorial and Representative salary: Senatorial and Representative salary:

Other Benefits Franking Privilege - allows congress members to mail letters and other materials postage free. Franking Privilege - allows congress members to mail letters and other materials postage free. Full medical coverage at low cost Full medical coverage at low cost Budgets to hire staff Budgets to hire staff Special federal income tax deductions Special federal income tax deductions