The United States Congress Chapter 10 US Government Mr. LeHew

Meeting Place Arial view of the Western Front of the United States Capitol Building and Capitol Grounds

A Bicameral Congress Historical reasons Parliament had two houses Practical reasons A solution/compromise between NJ and VA plans during Constitutional Convention Theoretical reasons Framers wanted one house to act as a check on the other A way to diffuse the power of Congress

Terms of Congress Each term lasts 2 years Beginning at 12:00P.M. January 3rd on odd numbers years First term began in 1789 and ended in 1791 Two Sessions per term Each session lasts one year

Terms of Congress Adjournment Neither house can adjourn without the consent of the other May recess for short periods of time President can adjourn (prorogue) if the two houses cannot agree on an adjournment date

Special Secessions Called by the President for special circumstances Only been 27 called Can call both houses together or either house separately Because they meet year round, less likely to happen

The Unites States House of Representatives The “Lower” house of the Unites States Congress

Meeting Place United States Capitol Building, House Chamber House Seats for the 112th Congress in proportion to Political Party

House of Representatives Size Fixed at 435 members Seats are apportioned (distributed) on basis of population Every state has at least one seat Seven states have only one seat: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming DC, Guam, Virgin Is., Samoa, and Puerto Rico each have a delegate but they aren’t members of the House and cannot vote on bills

House of Representatives Terms Each representative serves a 2 year term No limit on terms Makes House more responsive to the people Reapportionment Seats reapportioned after census Reapportionment Act of 1929 set size at 435 Census Bureau decides how many seats per state Plan then sent to Congress Becomes effective in 60 days if neither house rejects it

House of Representatives Elections Date - Tuesday following first Monday in November of each even numbered year Off year elections - held between presidential elections - usually party in power loses seats Gerrymandering - drawing district lines to favor one political party over the other - purpose is to create “safe” districts

Gerrymandering Wesberry v. Sanders, 1964 Districts redrawn to produce districts of approximately equal population One man, one vote Does not prevent gerrymandering In this example, the more even distribution is on the left and the gerrymandering is on the right.

Qualifications Formal qualifications 25 years old 7 years a citizen Live in state they represent Custom to live in district as well (informal) House may refuse to seat a member (majority vote) May censure (punish) a member (majority vote) May expel a member (2/3 vote)

Informal Qualifications Have to do with vote-getting ability Includes things like: Party identification Name familiarity Gender Ethnic characteristics Political experience Incumbency Fundraising ability

The Unites States Senate The “Upper” house of the Unites States Congress

Meeting Place Official Photo, US Senate, 112th Congress Senate Chamber, United States Capitol Building Senate Seats of the 112th Congress proportionate to Political Party

US Senator’s Desk Senate Chamber Underside of Desk Drawer traditionally used by Democratic Leadership in US Senate

US Senate Size 100 members - 2 from each state Election Used to be chosen by state legislatures 17th Amendment (1913) calls for direct election of Senators Only one senate seat from each state up for election at one time

Terms and Qualifications 6 Year Terms No limit on terms 1/3 expire every 2 years Formal qualifications 30 years old 9 year citizen Live in state Informal qualifications Same as for House of Representatives

Refusal and Censure Powers Senate may also refuse to seat a member (majority vote), censure a member (majority vote), or expel a member (2/3 vote)

Members of Congress and their Jobs Profile White Middle aged Male Most are married Most are Protestant Most are lawyers Most went to college Most were born in state they represent Most have considerable political experience

The Job What Congress Does on a Daily Basis and other Assorted Bits of Information

The Job Legislator Trustees - each question decided on its own merits Delegate - believe they should vote the way the people back home want them to Partisans - believe they should follow party guidelines Politicos - attempt to combine all three

The Job Serve/represent constituents Committee members Screen proposals Oversee executive agencies - called oversight function Serve/represent constituents Reflect the interests of the people back home Help them solve problems they may have with bureaucracy

Compensation and Perks Pay House/Senate -- $174,000 Speaker -- $223,500 Minority/Majority Leaders -- $193,400 President Pro Tempore -- $193,400

Compensation and Perks Tax deduction for keeping two homes Travel allowance to go back to home district Medical care at low/no cost Office space in DC and allowance for office space back home Staff allowance Free parking at the Capitol and major airports

Compensation and Perks Perks Continued Free printing Free mail (franking privilege) Research help through the Library of Congress Exercise facilities Retirement plan based on years service

Privileges (Article 1, Section 6, Clause 1) Freedom from arrest during sessions (Except treason, serious felony) Free speech/debate clause Protects from libel/slander for remarks made during debate in session or in conducting official business