THE CONGRESS Membership has its privileges

I. Structure of Congress A. Membership of the House 435 Members must be 25yrs old 7 yr US resident Live in District 2. Serve 2 Year Terms 3. # of Reps based on 10yr Census 4. State Legislature sets up districts

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan of Wisconsin’s 1st Dist B. Leadership in the House Speaker of the House Floor Leaders Party whips Speaker of the House Paul Ryan of Wisconsin’s 1st Dist

Membership in the Senate 100 Members must be 30 yrs old 9 yr US resident Live in the State 6 Year terms 1/3rd Elected Every 2 Yrs The Senate and the House take care of themselves 1st

Senate Majority Leader Leadership in the Senate Vice President Pres Pro Temp – Majority Leader Whips Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

Both houses can expel members 4. Above the Law?????? Both houses can expel members Bribery, 11 times Fraud, 10 times Corruption, 9 times Abscam, 7 times Tax evasion, 3 times Possession, 3 times True Crime Stats of Congress Campaign law , 3 times Koreagate, 2 times Extortion, 2 times Embezzlement, 2 times Drunk driving, 2 times

E. Congressional Sessions Two Sessions Sessions last until Congress votes to Adjourn

F. Congressional Diversity Nearly half are lawyers White Middle Aged Males Incumbents & Reelection 90’s & 2010 “Turnover”

G. Perks and Privileges Permanent professional staffs Privileges and immunities under the law Congressional Caucuses: Another source of support Several agencies have also been set up to assist Congress, such as the Government Accountability Office (formerly the General Accounting Office). Another Source of Support. The key caucuses are the official caucuses of the two major parties. There are over 200 other caucuses, ranging from important bodies (the Congressional Black Caucus) to the less important (the Potato Caucus).

H. Committees Purposes of Committees Divide and Conquer Hierarchy Public Hearings and the representation function

2. Types of Committees a. Standing – 1 2. Types of Committees a. Standing – 1. Majority Party controls standing 2. Subcommittees – b. Select – c. Joint – d. Conference – e. House Rules Committee

3. Choosing Committee Members a. Key Role of Congress b 3. Choosing Committee Members a. Key Role of Congress b. Membership on certain committees 1. Helps reputation 2. Influence Natl Legislation 3. Influence other members

II. Congressional Elections A. Candidates for Congressional Elections B. Congressional campaigns and elections Campaign funding Effects of Presidential elections C. The Power of Incumbency Victorious candidates for the Senate have recently spent an average of $5 million, while successful House candidates have averaged almost a million. B. One important factor is presidential elections. If a strong presidential candidate is on the ticket, that candidate may have “coattails” that benefit “down ballot” candidates. However, the presidential coattail effect in recent years has been modest or nonexistent.

D. Congressional Apportionment House seats are apportioned among the states every ten years, following the census. Reapportionment—the allocation of seats in the House of Representatives to each state after each census Redistricting — The redrawing of the boundaries of the congressional districts within each state

4. Gerrymandering 5. Redistricting after the 2020 Census 6 4. Gerrymandering 5. Redistricting after the 2020 Census 6. Minority-majority districts

III. The Functions of the Congress The lawmaking function The representation function The trustee view The instructed delegate view Service to constituents B. Members of Congress also function as representatives of their constituents. Generally there are three roles elected officials can assume when representing their constituents: the trustee and delegate roles, as well as the politico (a combination of trustee and constituent). The Trustee View of Representation. The elected official attempts to consider the whole of society as opposed to simply being an agent of the constituents. The Instructed Delegate View of Representation. The elected official is a mere agent for the constituents, doing exactly what a majority of the constituents want on issues. Constituent service, also called casework, includes assisting constituents in procuring governmental services that were denied to them. Casework provides a benefit to both constituents and to the representative, who typically gains the grateful constituents' support during reelection.

The oversight function: Reviewing actions of the Executive Branch The Public-Education Function The Conflict Resolution Function

IV. How a Bill Becomes a Law All appropriations bills must originate in the House. House of Representatives Introduction Committee Stage Rules Committee Floor Action

Senate at Work 1. Fewer Rules 2. More Informal 3. V.P. < Speaker Senate Majority Leader Whips – No Rules Committee Two Calendars Cal of General Orders Executive Calendar

8. FILIBUSTER – 9. Majority Party controls the flow

V. Support Agencies Library of Congress Congressional Budget Office General Accounting Office Government Printing Office

Questions for Critical Thinking Why did the framers of the Constitution create a bicameral legislature? Was part of the reason for a two-house legislature the idea that it would be more difficult to pass legislation, therefore, a check on a runaway legislature? What impact does this have today? Is it easy for Congress to agree on legislation?

Questions for Critical Thinking Do different rules for each chamber, like the filibuster in the Senate, help to balance power in the two Houses? Although the problems have changed since 1789, have the basic ideas of representation changed? If so, in what ways?