Chapter 10 – Congress Section 1 – The National Legislature Section 4 – The Members of Congress Section 2 – The House of Representatives Section 3 – The Senate

Section 1 – The National Legislature

Section 1 Vocab Term Session Special session

Class Discussion What is your opinion of Congress? Do you think they do a good job? Bad job? What do you think the job of Congress is?

The National Legislature Will Rogers – “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a Congressman. But I repeat myself.” Congress has the responsibility to turn public will into public policy in a way that respects the rights of each person. Article I Section 1 of the Constitution reads “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.”

Bicameralism What is bicameralism? Bicameralism comes from Federalism Each state is equally represented in Senate, population in the House. Should equal representation be scrapped as undemocratic? Alaska population of 600,000. California 35 million people.

Terms and Sessions of Congress Each term of Congress lasts 2 years. 1st one – March 4th 1789 to March 4th 1791. 1st Congress. 20th Amendment changed the start date for a new term. Now is “noon on the 3rd day of January.” Currently is the 116th Congress, 1st session. There are 2 sessions to each term of Congress (1 year each). Congress stays in session for most of the year. Before WWII it was 4-5 months. Congress can meet in Special Sessions when called by the President, the last one called by President Truman in 1948.

Review Q’s What is the basic function of Congress? What are historical, practical, and theoretical reasons for bicameralism? Who has the power to call special sessions of Congress? Why has that power lost so much of its importance over recent decades?

Section 4 – The Members of Congress

Section 4 Vocab Constituents Oversight function

Personal and Political Backgrounds Jeannette Rankin (R-Montana) first women to serve in Congress Large majority are lawyers

Duties of the Job Legislators Committee members Representatives of their constituents (?) Servants of their constituents Politicians Constantly checking the other branches – oversight

Compensation - $$$ The Constitution allows Congress to set its own pay 1790 $6/day Today - $174,000 Rank and file members The Speaker makes the same as VP Why? Congressional Pay A History of Congressional Pay

Some House/Senate Stats 116th Congressional Demographics

How to Find Your Representative California Representatives House of Representatives Website Lancaster Zip Code – 93536-4779 Palmdale Zip Code – 93551-4009 U.S. Senate Website

How to Write Your Representative Page 276 – how to write your representative Google Docs has a blank format letter option 1 page, typed – single spaced An issue that is important to you 20 points extra credit if you send your letter, and get a response DUE MONDAY APRIL 1ST Share via Google

Quick write What kinds of skills and characteristics would your ideal representative have?

Section 2 – The House of Representatives VOCAB Apportion Reapportion Single member district At-large Gerrymander

House Leadership Congressional Directory

Size and Terms House – 435 members. Set by Congress. Reapportioned every 10 years. Each state is guaranteed 1 representative. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming only have 1. The District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa elect a delegate to represent them in the House. Puerto Rico sends a commissioner. No vote They do not count as members of the House

California’s U.S. Representative District Map CA – 53 Congress people Page 270 California's U.S. Representative Districts

California State Representative District Map

Size and Terms The Constitution provides that “Representatives shall be chosen every 2nd year” The next election always around the corner. Hopes that means they pay attention to “the folks back home.” There is no constitutional limit on the number of terms representatives may serve.

Reapportionment 1st – 2nd Congress – 65 seats 1792 – 41 seats to 106 seats 1800 – 142 1810 – 186 1910 – 435 seats Reapportionment Act of 1929 “permanent” size of House is 435 (subject to change if Congress wishes) The Census Bureau determines the number of seats each states should have The President sends it to Congress Within 60 days of receiving, if there are no complaints it becomes effective

Congressional Elections Held on the same day in every state. Held on the Tuesday following the 1st Monday in November. Off-year elections – held in non-presidential election years. 2014 – last one Next off-year election??? Party in power usually loses seats in off-year elections. 435 members = 435 districts Pg. 268 - Reapportionment Pg. 271 Political Cartoon Gerrymander – re-draw a district.

Qualifications for House Members According to the Constitution: Must be 25 years of age Been a citizen for 7 years Must be a inhabitant of the state from he or she is elected Longstanding custom says that they must also live in the district they are trying to get elected from. The House can refuse to seat members by majority vote. Brigham H. Roberts of Utah – Polygamist – 1900 1969 – Powell v. McCormack House can’t exclude members that meet the requirements. Has not happened since. 4 Members expelled in 200 years. Michael Myers in 1980 for corruption.

Section 3 Review Q’s How long is the term for a representative? What did the Reapportionment Act of 1929 do? What are the constitutional requirements for membership in the House? What powers does the House have over the elections and qualifications of its members?

The Senate SECTION 3 VOCAB Continuous body

Senate Leadership Congressional Directory                                                                                      

Election and Terms The “Upper House” 1/3 of Senators have served in the House Prior to 1913 Senators were chosen by State Legislature 17th Amendment, 1913, meant the direct election of Senators. Serve 6 year terms Can be re-elected any number of times. Elections are staggered, only 1/3 of terms run out at any time. Why do you think Senators have a term x3 of the members of the House? Focused on the big picture, unlike the House. The Senate usually serves as prime source of contenders for presidential nominations. The Senate is a continuous body, in that all seats are never up for election at once.

Qualifications for Senators Higher level of qualifications than a Representative 30 years of age Citizen for 9 years Must be an inhabitant of the State in which he or she is elected. 15 members of the Senate have been expelled. Pg. 272 – Interpreting Tables

Section 3 Review Q’s How many people now serve in the U.S. Senate How is that number fixed? What is the term of office for Senators? How is the Senate a continuous body? What are the constitutional qualifications for membership in the Senate?

Chapter 10 Bookwork Page 286 #’s 1-10 (write out and underline term), 12,16,20,23