House & senate qualifications Ch 6 – goal 2

Qualifications and Privileges United States Senate 30 years old Live in the state you represent Citizen for 9 years

Qualifications and Privileges United States House of Representatives 25 years old Live in the state you represent Citizen 7 years

Qualifications and Privileges Annual salary of $174,000 Free office and parking Paid trips home Low cost life insurance Gym, restaurants, medical clinic

Qualifications and Privileges Franking Privilege: send job-related mail for free

Qualifications and Privileges Senators and representatives are granted immunity, or legal protection in certain situations but they cannot break the law

Personal Staff Run offices in Washington, DC, as well as in the home district Gather info on new bills and issues, handle requests for help from voters, deal with reporters and lobbyists, and work for reelection of the congressional member

Personal Staff Lobbyists: people hired by private groups to influence government decision makers Add on: Hired by interest groups to persuade legislators – examples: sta

Personal Staff In addition to professional staff, many members hire students from their home states; interns help with research and office duties, pages run errands

Committee Staff Congressional committees also need staffs, committee members draft, or outline bills, gather information, organize committee hearings, and negotiate with lobbyists

Support Services The Library of Congress is an important source of information to Congress

Support Services The General Accounting Office reviews government spending, studies, programs, and recommends ways to improve the government’s financial performance The Congressional Budget Office Helps make budget decisions

Lawmaking Members of the Senate and House write and introduce bills, take part in committee work, listen to the input of people for and against a bill, and then vote on the floor of the House or Senate

Casework Members of Congress help people from their home districts and states who request help in dealing with the government, this is called casework

Helping the District or State Every year through public works bills, Congress appropriates billions of dollars for a variety of local projects such as post offices, dams, and military bases These can bring jobs and money into a state or district

Helping the District or State Lawmakers also try to make sure their districts or states get their fair share of federal grants and contracts funded through the federal budget

Pork-Barrel Projects Government projects and grants that benefit the home district or state The “barrel” is the Federal Treasury, the “fat” is money for a federal project for the Congressman’s district