Free Write: What was the founders’ vision for Congress? Identify 2-3 goals they had in mind when composing Article I. Why has our “first branch” of Government gone so astray? What evidence was presented in the “House Whip” article? Will Congress retain its legitimacy among voters?

Congress’ Image Problem You can lead a man to Congress, but you can’t make him think. -Milton Berle The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets. -Will Rogers I don’t mind what Congress does, as long as they don’t do it in the streets and frighten the horses. -Victor Hugo I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the US Congress. -Ronald Reagan Congress is so strange. A man gets up to speak and says nothing. Nobody listens – and then everybody disagrees. -Boris Marshalov In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress. -John Adams

Congress’ Image Problem They say that women talk too much. If you have worked in Congress, you know that the filibuster was invented by men. -Clare Boothe Luce Ancient Rome declined because it had a Senate; now what’s going to happen to us with both a Senate and a House?” -Will Rogers “Assume you are a fool. Now assume you are a member of Congress…. but I repeat myself.” - Mark Twain

Congress’ Image Problem The most current approval rating according to Gallup Poll is 10% (It was 19% before the shutdown.) http://www.today.com/video/today/52562363 http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2013/09/politics/government-shutdown-impact/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

According to Article I of the Constitution, what is the primary function of Congress? “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.”

What other duties do members of Congress have? 1. Represent and serve their constituents 2. Serve on Congressional Committees 3. Politicians working with their party to promote their platform 4. Run for office (Members of the House of Representatives run every 2 years!) Re Why are these duties sometimes in conflict with each other?

Think-Pair-Share Should a Senator vote to subsidize (give $$ to support) the production of tobacco, the biggest cash crop in his/her state, despite the tremendous health costs it imposes on Americans? What would you do?

113th Congressional Membership Bicameral: Two Houses (Great Compromise) Number of Members Total 435 Female 81 Male 351 Democrats 200 Republicans 232 (3 vacant seats) Senate Number of Members Total 100 Female 20 Male 80 Democrats 53 Republicans 45 Independents 2 What are the differences between the House and Senate?

113th Congressional Membership Bicameral: Two Houses (Great Compromise) Ethnicity 41 African American 32 Hispanic/Latino 10 Asian/Pacific Islander 2 Native Americans Senate Ethnicity 2 African American 4 Hispanic/Latino 1 Asian/Pacific Islander

The youngest member 29-year-old Patrick Murphy (D-FL). The oldest member is 89-year-old Ralph Hall (R-TX)

A variety of occupations from lawyers, doctors, educators, farmers and accountants! Even 2 clergy members!

Leadership in the House of Representatives Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) 435 Members

Leadership in the Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) 100 Members

Leadership in the Senate President of the Senate Joe Biden (D- VP) President Pro Tempore Patrick Leahy (D-VT) 100 Members

Your Members of Congress Senators Represent the State Members of the House Represent a District Dick Durbin (D) Elected in 1996 Mark Kirk (R) Elected in 2010 Bill Foster (D) 11th District Elected in 2012