Chapter 10 Congress

Section 1—The National Legislature Objectives: Explain why the Constitution provides for a bicameral Congress. Describe a term of Congress. Summarize how sessions of Congress have changed over time.

Section 1—The National Legislature Why It Matters: The Framers of the Constitution created a Congress with two bodies: a small Senate and a much larger House of Representatives. Each Congress since 1789 has met for a term of two years; those terms are now divided into two one-year sessions.

Section 1—The National Legislature Political Dictionary: Term Session Adjourn Prorogue Special Session

Section 1—The National Legislature “Representative” Madison: “The first branch.” “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.”—Article I, section 1

Section 1—The National Legislature A Bicameral Congress Historical British had two houses Most Colonies had two houses Practical Dispute between Virginia and New Jersey Plans.

Section 1—The National Legislature A Bicameral Congress (cont.) Theoretical “To cool it.” There would be no Constitution without the bicameralism.

Section 1—The National Legislature Terms and Sessions Two year terms. Terms of Congress Noon of the 3rd day of January of every odd numbered year. Sessions Two sessions Adjourns “sine die” “prorogue”—never used.

Section 1—The National Legislature Terms and Sessions (cont.) Special Sessions Only used occasionally.

Section 2—The House of Representatives Objectives: Describe the size and the elective terms of the members of the House. Explain how House seats are reapportioned among the States after each census. Describe a typical congressional election and congressional district. Analyze the formal and informal qualifications for election to the House.

Section 2—The House of Representatives Why It Matters: The 435 members of the House of Representatives represent districts of roughly equal populations but very different characteristics. House members can serve an unlimited number of two-year terms.

Section 2—The House of Representatives Political Dictionary: Apportionment Reapportion Off-year election Single-member district At-large Gerrymander

Section 2—The House of Representatives Size and Terms Size is set by Congress-435 since 1910 Minimum of one representative per State. “Unofficial” representatives. Unlimited terms

Section 2—The House of Representatives Reapportionment 1st Congress was 65 Raised to 106 in 1792 A Growing Nation Raised to 142 in 1800 Raised to 186 in 1810 435 by 1912 (Arizona and New Mexico were added) No reapportionment in 1920

Section 2—The House of Representatives Reapportionment (cont.) The Reapportionment Act of 1929 Every ten years Permanent size of 435 Represent about 650,000 citizens State Legislatures determine boundaries.

Section 2—The House of Representatives Congressional Elections Date—Since 1872, “first Tuesday, following the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year.” Voting devices vary widely and some are controversial.

Section 2—The House of Representatives Congressional Elections (cont.) Off-Year Elections Non-presidential election years. Party of the president “usually” loses ground.

Section 2—The House of Representatives Congressional Elections (cont.) Districts 7 States with one representative 428 divided among the rest. Single-member districts are the norm. At-Large has occurred at times. Questions: Equal population Equal size. Compactness. Contiguous—one piece

Section 2—The House of Representatives Congressional Elections (cont.) Gerrymandering Can concentrate opposition in one or a few districts. Spread the opposition to make all districts open. Aims to create “safe” districts.

Section 2—The House of Representatives

Section 2—The House of Representatives Congressional Elections (cont.) Wesberry v. Sanders, 1964 Established principle of equal representation. Later: One person---one vote principle. Race cannot be the primary determinant in districting, but can be one factor.

Section 2—The House of Representatives Qualifications for House Members. 25 years of age. A U.S. citizen for 7 years. A inhabitant of the state from which they are elected. Informally of the district from which they are elected.

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Section 3—The Senate Objectives: Compare the size of the Senate to the size of the House of Representatives. Describe how States have elected senators in the past and present. Explain how and why a senator’s term differs from a representative’s term. Identify the qualifications for serving in the Senate.

Section 3—The Senate Why It Matters: Each State has two seats in the Senate, the smaller and more prestigious house of Congress. Senators are generally older and more experienced than representatives, and their longer terms offer some protection against political pressures.

Section 3—The Senate Political Dictionary: Continuous body Constituency

Section 3—The Senate Size, Election, and Terms Size Election 1789—22 members 1791—26 members “Dispassionate.” Represent entire states. Election Until 1913—chosen by State legislatures. 17th Amendment. Now elected statewide.

Section 3—The Senate Size, Election, and Terms (cont.) Term 6 years Strom Thurmond-48 year record. Senator Robert Byrd—48 years in 2007 Terms are staggered 33 or 34 each 2 year election. Continuous body. Larger constituencies---bigger picture.

Section 3—The Senate Qualification for Senators 30 years of age. Citizen of the U.S. for 9 years. An inhabitant of the State from which they are elected. Senate judges its own members. 15 have been expelled—14 during the Civil War. Many simply resign Many do not seek reelection.

Section 4—The Members of Congress Objectives: Identify the personal and political backgrounds of the current members of Congress. Describe the duties performed by those who serve in Congress. Describe the compensation and privileges of members of Congress.

Section 4—The Members of Congress Why It Matters: Members of Congress must fill several roles as lawmakers, politicians, and servants of their constituents. For their work, they receive fairly generous pay and benefits.

Section 4—The Members of Congress Political Dictionary: Trustee Partisan Politico Oversight function Franking privilege

Section 4—The Members of Congress Personal and Political Backgrounds Not representative Median age of House is 55, Senate 60 Mostly male. 68 women in House, 14 women in the Senate. 42 African Americans, 24 Hispanics, 5 Asians, and 1 Native American in the House. 1 African American, 2 Hispanics, 1 Asian, 1 Hawaiian sit in Senate.

Section 4—The Members of Congress Personal and Political Backgrounds (cont.) Most are married and average 2 children. 60% are Protestant, 30% Catholic, 6% Jewish. 1/3 of House and 1/2 of Senate are lawyers Nearly all have a college degree and many advanced degrees.

Section 4—The Members of Congress Personal and Political Backgrounds (cont.) Most have political experience Senators average in second term House members 4 terms Former governors Cabinet seats

Section 4—The Members of Congress The Job Legislators Representatives of constituents Committee members Servants of constituents Politicians

Section 4—The Members of Congress The Job (cont.) Representatives of the people Trustees—independent judgment Partisans Politicos—balancing act Committee Members Oversight function Servants

Section 4—The Members of Congress Compensation Salary $158,000 Speaker=$193,600 Senate president pro tem=$172,900 Nonsalary Compensation Fringe benefits Travel Franking privilege Free printing

Section 4—The Members of Congress Compensation (cont.) The politics of pay Controversial Membership Privileges Legislative Immunity To protect free speech

Section 4—The Members of Congress