Today’s Agenda (4/23/15):  Voting/Elections Review  Go over “Negative Campaign Ads” analysis (last night’s HW)  Today’s Central Questions; What Do You Know About Congress?;  The US Congress  Congressional Term Limits??

Tonight’s HW:  Study Your Outlines for Tomorrow’s Section Assessment!! (20-25 Questions)  bring a pencil  Supreme Court Case Selection (Checkpoint 1 for Final Project) due Tuesday 4/28

Review:  What are the three “requirements” to vote in a US election?  What’s the difference between a “primary” and a “general” election?  What does it mean to have a “referendum” or “runoff” election?

Central Questions  What specific “qualities” SHOULD a lawmaker possess?  In your opinion, why does the American public have such a low opinion on the job performance of Congress (currently at a 17.7% approval rating)?

Common Features of Congress  Members represent their constituents (the people who live in their district or state)  With the exception of tax bills, both chambers can propose a law

House of Representatives  Made up of 435 members representing districts (sections) of their particular states  Members are elected every two years

Example: Missouri’s 3 rd District The Fightin’ 3 rd !!

House of Reps (cont’d)  Business in the House is directed by the Speaker of the House (selected by members of the majority party) Current Speaker of the House and tanning bed- enthusiast John Boehner (R. Ohio)

House of Reps (cont’d)  During a debate or business in the House:  1. members must receive permission to speak from the Speaker  2. members have a limited amount of time to make their point Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan (R.) discussing the proposed balanced budget during a floor debate in the House in Feb

The Senate  Made up of 100 members; there are two from each state in the US  Members are elected every 6 years

Senate (cont’d)  Business is directed by the Vice President of the US; if absent, business is directed by the most senior member of the Senate (known as the President Pro- Tempore) VP Joe Biden PPT Senator Orrin Hatch (R. Utah)

Senate (cont’d)  During a debate in the Senate  1. members must ask permission to speak  2. members may speak for an unlimited amount of time  3. in some cases, members may be asked to approve or reject certain actions of the President of the US Sen. Rand Paul (R. KY) speaking on the floor of the Senate during his infamous “filibuster” over the nomination of CIA Director John Brennan. Paul spoke for over 13 hours straight on all types of issues related and non-related to the nomination.

Party Leaders  Chosen by members of each party (majority and minority)  Act as official spokespeople for their respective parties  Lead the creation of ideas for new laws within their parties  By rule, majority leaders are given priority to present first on a House/Senate issue Top L-R: Maj.Leader Kevin McCarthy (R. CA) Min. Leader Nancy Pelosi (D. CA) Bottom L-R: Maj. Leader Mitch McConnell (R. KY) Min. Leader Harry Reid (D. NV )

Privileges of Being in Congress  Salary of $174,000 each year  A pension of up to 80% of their final salary  A paid staff and office personnel  Free transportation to and from home state  No limit to amount of terms one can serve