BICAMERAL Two houses make the Legislative Branch Two houses make the Legislative Branch They begin on Jan They begin on Jan 3 rd every two years. A session lasts two years. This is the 113 th Congress! The Senate The Senate House of Representatives House of Representatives

Population Changes Rep’s pop 91 million pop 91 million 209K people per Rep 209K people per Rep million million 570K per Rep. 570K per Rep. 1789: 65 Representatives 1789: 65 Representatives 1910: 435. That number has not changed. 1910: 435. That number has not changed. Senate does not change 100 members Senate does not change 100 members

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

Members of the House of Representatives Official title is “Representative So and So” Official title is “Representative So and So” Also called “congressman” Also called “congressman” There are 435 congressmen There are 435 congressmen Congressmen are elected to a term of 2 years Congressmen are elected to a term of 2 years

The House of Representatives

Members of the Senate Official title is “Senator So and So” Official title is “Senator So and So” 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

The Senate

Basic Information Since you get new congressmen every 2 years, we call each 2 year period a “term” of Congress Since you get new congressmen every 2 years, we call each 2 year period a “term” of Congress The terms are numbered consecutively… the one that ends Dec was the 110 th Congress The terms are numbered consecutively… the one that ends Dec was the 110 th Congress The one that was just elected is called the 111 th Congress The one that was just elected is called the 111 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?

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)

Apportionment Done every 10 years after a census. Done every 10 years after a census. 435 House seats divided among 50 states. 435 House seats divided among 50 states. Based on population, with a state guaranteed 1 representative. Based on population, with a state guaranteed 1 representative. North East US; Losing representatives. North East US; Losing representatives. Soute & West; Gaining seats Soute & West; Gaining seats

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 The South and West are gaining seats. Northeast losing seats! The South and West are gaining seats. Northeast losing seats!

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 6 th )

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 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), the president’s party usually loses seats in Congress In the election years where there is no presidential election (2006, 2010), 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 Originally, congressmen were elected by the public, and Senators were elected by the state legislatures Originally, congressmen were elected by the public, and Senators were elected by the state legislatures Founding Fathers did not trust the public with all power Founding Fathers did not trust the public with all power 17 th Amendment has since changed Senate elections to a public vote 17 th Amendment has since changed Senate elections to a public vote

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

Founding Fathers’ Intent The Founding Fathers wanted to have one house that would quickly respond to the desires of the public (House of Reps) The Founding Fathers wanted to have one house that would quickly respond to the desires of the public (House of Reps) And one house that would be moderate, and stop any crazy nonsense the House would try (Senate) And one house that would be moderate, and stop any crazy nonsense the House would try (Senate)

Population changes million Americans, so each rep represented about 209K citizens million Americans, so each rep represented about 209K citizens. By million American, so each rep represented about 570K citizens. By million American, so each rep represented about 570K citizens. The census tells us where to shift the 435 representatives. The census tells us where to shift the 435 representatives.

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 111 th Congress U.S. U.S. Males – 49% Males – 49% Females – 51% Females – 51% Congress Congress Males – 83% Females – 17%

Demographics of 111 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 – 6% Asian – 1% Native – 0%

Demographics of 111 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%