The Legislative Branch Who Makes Up Congress?

The Legislative Branch Bicameral = 2 houses Why? Created by the Great Compromise to satisfy both large states and small states Most other governments were set up this way The houses can provide a check on each other 113th Congress – began January 3, 2013 Session: the period of time each year when Congress meets Term: assigned period of time for elected official to serve

Senators & Representatives Every state gets two Senators Total = 100 (50 x 2) Each Senator represents the entire state REPRESENTATIVES Each state’s number of representatives is based on its population Total = 435 (fixed by law) Each Representative represents a congressional district

Apportionment in the House of Representatives Members of the House of Representatives are apportioned; meaning they are distributed differently The number of members each state has can change after a census is taken A census is an official count of the population taken every ten years.

Rhode Island’s Congressional Districts Redrawing the Districts

Congressional Districts When districts need to be redrawn, they need to have similar populations. Some states still draw boundaries to favor one party or group over another – this practice is called “gerrymandering” Gerrymandering is done to help one party elect a large number of representatives.

Terms When elected, Senators serve a 6 year term (no term limit) The terms are staggered so that only 1/3rd of the Senators are up for reelection at the same time When elected, Representatives serve a 2 year term (no term limit) All Representatives are up for reelection at the same time.

Why aren’t they all elected at the same time? Think – Share - Pair Why do you think the members of Congress serve different term lengths? Why aren’t they all elected at the same time?

Qualifications for Senator Must be 30 years or older Must be a United States citizen for at least 9 years Must live in the state they wish to represent

Qualifications for Representatives Must be 25 years or older Must be a United States citizen for at least 7 years Must live in the state you wish to represent

Salary & Benefits All members of Congress get: $174,900/year plus pension/health benefits Offices & staff salaries paid by government Free business related travel Franking privilege: postage paid for responses to constituents Constituent: the people an elected official represents

Rhode Island’s Senators JACK REED (Democrat) sheldon whitehouse (DEMOCRAT)

Rhode Island’s Representatives DAVID CICILLINE (District 1) (DEMOCRAT) JAMES LANGEVIN (DISTRICT 2) (DEMOCRAT)

Who Makes Up Congress?

Exit Slip Write a tweet (140 characters or less) that advertises for the position of Senator or Representative. Make sure you include requirements and salary. You can actually tweet it to me @mrtalynch. Please begin your tweet with #HW – Abbreviate and be creative.

Think-Pair-Share What do you think a member of Congress should consider or think about before voting on a bill?

Voting Options Delegate: to vote based upon the views of your constituents Trustee: to vote based upon your own personal opinion Partisan: to vote along your party line Politico: to vote by trying to balance being a delegate, trustee, and partisan