The Legislative Branch! It’s Article I because it’s the engine of government. Pass laws that are fair and represent public interest Investigate wrongdoings, scandal, and social problems Are products that are toxic to children being imported Are environmentalists fighting with ranchers over animal habitat?

The BASIC STRUCTURE and ORGANIZATION of Congress represents the interest of voters Congress is bicameral: House and Senate Congress term begins: January 3 in years ending in an odd number (ex. 2013) Remain in session until adjourned 435 members- elected by population- assigned by districts from the census information House or Senate committees engage citizens and lobbyists to weigh in on “state” issues

Congress makes laws initiates + approves laws from healthcare to taxes Each term of Congress is 2 sessions Sessions last for 1 year w/ holiday breaks Adjournment 3+ days requires approval of “other house” President can call a special session Congress is bicameral legislature (House of Representatives and Senate)

Membership of the House of Representative s , 2 years, 7 years legal resident November even # years 90% re-elected Die/resign 1 st session state has special election to fill Die/resign 2 nd session; states vary in solution

Representation/ Reapportionment Census Bureau- census- # reps for the next 10 years [reapportionment] States w/slow growth or decreasing pop lose States w/strong pop growth gain seats Losing seats means lessening power on issues in that region of the country Congress capped # House members at 435

Redistricting Census- # reps- state legislature draws boundaries for congressional districts; one for each representative If the state only has 1 rep how many congressional districts do they have?

Abuse of Redistricting Districts of unequal population or gerrymandering Federal courts decide conflicts over drawing district boundaries Today each district contains 650,000 people; 1990 it was popular to redraw districts to increase ethnic/racial minority representation- Puerto Rican district voting like…?

Gerrymanderin g Drawing district boundaries to give 1 party an electoral advantage Packing- drawing the lines so they include as many of the opposing party’s voters as possible. Cracking- dividing opponent’s voters into other districts to weaken opponents voters base Supreme Court ruled districts must be compact + contiguous to cut back the worst examples of gerrymandering

Senate Membership 30+, 6 year terms, USA 9 years, resident of state, elected “at-large” no districts! November- even # years 1/3 senators run for re election every 2 years Die/resign: Governor appoints or calls special session

Congress Salary/Benefits Set their own salaries- “Sharp James is making ¼ million a year!” 27 th Amendment- Congress cannot give itself a pay raise; raise becomes effective only after another election franking privileges- stationary + postage medical clinic + gym, $ staff, trips, 2 nd home retirement pension $150,000/year for life

Congress Salary/Benefits On the way to Congress, “free from arrest” in all cases except treason, felony, breach of peace” Cannot be sued for anything said on House/Senate Floor Judge qualifications of new elected members “refuse to seat by majority vote” Punish: expel for disorderly behavior 2/3 vote (bribe/treason) censure- vote of formal disapproval of members actions

Congress 535 members 4 delegates in House from DC, Guam, Samoa, Virgin Islands + 1 resident commissioner Puerto Rico attend sessions, introduce bills, speak in debate, vote committees Characteristics ½ Congress lawyers; business, banking, education White, middle aged, males Minorities in Congress? Do a google search

Congress re- election/ campaigning Incumbents- re-elected because of networking, district gerrymandering in incumbents party’s favor, visual recognition (TV & news), report card, best represent voters Election websites have become popular for real time speeches, volunteer recruitment, raising $ and e- mailing

Exit Slip How does the composition of the Senate differ from that of the House of Representatives?

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