Unit 4: The Legislative Branch

Introduction to Congress Legal Basis of Congress Found in Article I of Constitution A Bicameral Congress Definition: a legislative body made up of two houses Reasons: Historical: British Parliament consisted of two houses Practical: Settled conflict over NJ and VA Plans Theoretical: Created additional checks and balances

Art. I, Sect. 2 – House of Representatives Total Number: 435 Term Length: 2 years Qualifications: 25 years old American citizen for 7 years Resident of that state Apportionment: number of Reps based on population Salary: $174,000, $223,500 (Speaker) Speaker of House presides Has sole power to Impeach – accuse or bring accusations

Art. I, Sect. 3 – The Senate Total Number: 100 Term Length: 6 years Qualifications: 30 years old American citizen for 9 years Resident of that state Apportionment: 2 senators per state Salary: $174,000, $193,400 (party leaders) Vice President presides over Senate, can cast only a deciding vote – to break tie President pro tempore presides when VP is absent Has sole power to try Impeachments

A TERM of Congress Definition: a time in which all the members of Congress are the same (no elections during this time) Each lasts for two years and is consecutively numbered A new term begins on Jan. 3rd of an odd year We are currently in the 112th Term which began Jan. 3, 2011 and will end on Jan. 3, 2013 http://www.thecapitol.net/FAQ/termsofcongress.html

A SESSION of Congress Definition: a period of time in which Congress assembles and does work Other info: Two sessions for each term of Congress (1 year each) Congress adjourns or suspends each session as they see fit Currently, they work for most of the year but will recess for several short periods Special Sessions A meeting to deal with an emergency situation There have been only 26 called in history Most recent: Harry Truman, in 1948, to consider anti-inflation and welfare measures post-WWII

Term Session

Key Terms – House of Reps Apportioned: seats are distributed in the House based on a state’s population Higher population More districts As of 2008: about 700,000 people per district Reapportioned: seats are redistributed following a census every 10 years Off-year Elections: elections held between Presidential elections (mid-term)

Gerrymandering Definition: redrawing districts to benefit one political party over the other, usually done by the party in power

Key Terms – Senate “Continuous Body”: Senate terms are staggered, meaning only a third (33 or 34) of the senators are up for re-election every 2 years Constituency: the people (constituents) and the interests the elected official represents Since Senators represent a larger constituency, they are regarded as national political leaders Representative = one district Senator = entire state

The Members of Congress “Average” Member: white male in early 50’s More women than ever Variety of minorities represented Most members are married with children Have some type of religious affiliations Most members have considerable political experience Do you think this changes the way Congress functions? Gender Composition of the 112th Congress U.S. House U.S. Senate Men 362 83 Women 76 17 Racial Composition of the 112th Congress (including Delegates in the House) U.S. House U.S. Senate White 361 96 Black 44 Hispanic 25 2 Asian 7 American Indian 1

112th Congress House of Reps Senate

The Members of Congress Jobs: Legislators: write laws/bills, vote Representatives of Constituents Trustee – A lawmaker who votes based on their own conscience and judgment, not the views of their constituents Delegate – Lawmaker who votes based on how their constituents tell them to vote Partisan – Lawmaker who owes their allegiance to their political party and votes according to party lines Politico – Lawmaker who attempts to balance the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles

How Congress Organizes

Opening Day Each new Term begins on January 3rd of an odd year. The House chooses the Speaker, members are sworn in, and they adopt new rules and appoint members to committees. The Senate (a continuous body) swears in new and re- elected members, vacancies in Senate organizations and committees are filled.

When both are organized, they let the President know they are “ready” and wait for him/her to deliver the State of the Union Message “He shall from time to time give to the Congress information on the State of the Union…” -Article II, Section 3

II. Presiding Officers House Speaker of the House Majority Floor Leader Majority Whip Minority Floor Leader Minority Whip

Current Leadership in the 112th Congress House of Representatives Speaker of the House John A. Boehner (R-OH) Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

II. Presiding Officers Senate President of the Senate Majority Floor Leader Majority Whip Minority Floor Leader Minority Whip President pro-tempore

Current Leadership in the 112th Congress Senate President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D-HI) Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL) House Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ)