WARM –UP Complete in your notebook CONSTITUENT: the people served by an elected official. Who are the constituents of the President? Who are the constituents of a US Senator? Who are the constituents of a US Representative (“Congressman/women”)?

The Senate

NOTES - Qualifications Formal 30 years old Citizen for 9 years Inhabitant of the State where elected Informal Party ID Name Recognition Political Experience

NOTES - Elections and Terms Serve for 6 years ALL House of Representatives run for election every 2 years SENATE is STAGGERED - 1/3 are up for election every 2 years so there is a “continuous body” Originally elected by State legislatures, now Senators are elected by the People

NOTES - The Good Life in the Senate Salary: $174,000 (same as House) Benefits: Health benefits; Pension after five years of full participation (but don’t start collecting $$$ until they get old, like House) One of the few…There are only 100 senators, so they are “special” and more prestigious than members of the House of Representatives

Profile of the 112th Congress House: 242 Republicans, 193 Democrats Senate: 47 Republicans, 51 Democrats, and 2 Independents, who often vote with the Democrats Average Age: House - 57; Senate – 62 Jobs: Politics, business, and law

Profile of the 112th Congress Women: 74 in the House, 17 in the Senate 44 African American Members of the House (a record number) and NONE in the Senate. 26 Hispanic or Latino Members serving in the House, and 2 in the Senate. 13 Members (nine Representatives, two Delegates, and two Senators) are Asian or Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander. 1 Native American serves in the House.

PAT TOOMEY (PA-R) Elected in 2010 (serving 2011-2016) Former member of the US House of Representatives Member of Budget Committee Appointed to work on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (which did not meet its Nov 23 deadline)

BOB CASEY (PA-D) Elected in 2006 (serving 2007-2012, re-elected in 2012 and will serve until 2018) Former PA Treasurer and Auditor General (like being the accountant for the state government) Dad was Governor of PA Member of Foreign Relations Committee

TIM MURPHY (PA-18, R) US HOUSE 18th Congressional District in PA Member of House of Representatives since 2003; will start his 6th term in Congress 2013 Member of Energy & Commerce Committee Psychologist, Navy Reserve & Professor

The Senate Desks

Fun Facts - Desks in the Senate The Old Senate Chamber – desks are antiques and part of American history When British troops burned the Capitol in 1814, the Senate Chamber and all its contents were lost. Reconstruction took until 1819 Senators took their seats in the rebuilt Chamber, with 48 new desks and chairs custom made by Thomas Constantine, a New York cabinetmaker. Constantine was paid $34 for each Senate desk

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/art/special/Desks/chambermap.cfm