Congress Chapter 5

5.1 Bicameral Legislature Apportionment- Distribution of seats One Representative for every 30,000 people. (1789) Census – Today each representative represents roughly 735,000 people Size of the House has been set at 435 since 1910

Apportionment and Redistricting U.S. Constitution requires a census be taken every ten years. Redistricting-

House of Representatives Qualifications Age Years a Citizen Live in the state

Senate Qualifications Age - Years a citizen - Live in the state

Terms House of Representatives- two years terms, elected by popular vote. Each term in the House is divided into two one year sessions Each House term is numbered (2015-2017 is the 114th term) Senators- six year terms, originally elected by state legislatures.

Redistricting Reapportionment – Redistricting – Gerrymandering -

Gerrymandering, explained

Salary and benefits Salary – Franking privilege – Free from arrest except “treason, felony or breach of the peace” Not protected for what they say outside of Congress Incumbency – Between 1945 and 1990 90% were reelected

5.2 How Congress is Organized Speaker of the House- formally elected by the whole house The majority and minority leader Elected by their parties Majority/Minority Whips

Constitutional Powers of Congress Authority to make laws No bill (proposed law) can become law wihout consent of both houses. Article I Section 8 lists powers (p. 56) Necessary and Proper clause- gives Congress the power to “make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution all the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of the United States”

Constitutional Differences between the House and Senate Initiates all revenue bills Initiates impeachment procedures and passes articles of impeachment Senate Offers advice and consent on many major Presidential appointments Tries impeached officials Approves treaties

Differences in Operation House More centralized, stronger leadership Rules committee powerful in controlling time and rules for debate More impersonal Power less evenly distributed Members are highly specialized Emphasizes tax and revenue policy Senate Less centralized, less formal, weaker leadership No rules committee, limits on debate come through unanimous consent or filibuster More personal Power more evenly distributed Members are generalists Emphasizes foreign policy

Speaker of the House: John Boehner (R- Ohio)

Minority Leader: Nancy Pelosi (D-California)

Demographics Congress is better educated and wealthier than the general public Senate is often called the “Millionaires Club” The 112th Congress (2011-2013) has 241 Republicans and 193 Democrats. The Senate, which has been in continuous session since 1789, has 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans, 2 independents (both vote in Democratic Caucus)

Role of Representatives Trustee- Delegate- Politicos-

Organization of the Senate Presiding Officer-Vice President of the United States Chair of the Senate- President pro-tempore Majority Leader- Whips-

Role of Political Parties Party Caucus-nominates party officers, reviewing committee assignments, discussing party policy, imposing party discipline, Conference and Caucus chairperson- Congressional Campaign Committees

Members and their votes Party – Constituents – Colleagues – Interest Groups -

Committee System Standing Committees- Conference Committees- Ad-hoc or special committees- Joint committees-

Lawmaking House of Representatives Introduced in the House Referred to House Committee subcommittee Reported by Full Committee Rules Committee Action Full House Debate and Votes on Passage

Senate Introduced Referred to Senate Committee Referred to subcommittee Reported to full Senate by Full Committee Full Senate Debate and Votes on Passage Conference Committee House and Senate must approve the same version The bill is sent to the President for his signature or veto

Congress and the President Oversight – Foreign Policy and National Security – President is preeminent in terms of foreign policy Confirmation of Presidential Appointments Impeachment Process -

Congress and the Judiciary Congress decides the size, appellate jurisdiction, structure of the federal court system, budget Senate approves Pres. Appointment of federal judges Senatorial Courtesy –