ARTICLE I Requirements, Duties and Characteristics of the Legislative Branch

Bicameral Legislation Art. 1 Sec. 1: … which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives  Out Congress is split into two Houses  Senate Equal Representation  House of Representatives Representation based by population

Bicameral Legislation Art. 1 Sec. 1: … which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives  The Senate 100 members  2 per state  Changes only when states are added  The House of Representation 435  Divided every 10 years based on the American Census Total population / 435 equals number of representatives per “x” number of people each congressman/woman will represent approximately 710,00 people

What is Fair? How should representing the states balance big and small?  Equal Representation  Pro: all have equal say  Con: people’s votes are not equal  Proportional Representation  Pro: People’s votes are equal  Con: small states have little say New Jersey PlanVirginia Plan

The Compromise  Connecticut, Grand or Great Compromis  Create a legislature with 2 houses, balance responsibilities between the 2 houses, and create a more prefect union for big and small states Senate: Equal Representation House: Proportional Representation We will talk about the responsibilities later

Balance is seen easier here, each box equals one electoral vote

Congressional Sessions  Each term of congress starts on January 3 rd of odd numbered years and last for two years  Each term is divided into two sessions  Length of sessions prior to 1933 was from about January through March, but with increase workload and 20 th Amendment most sessions will last until November if not December Neither house nor senate can adjourn for more than three days without the permission of the other house President can call congress back for a special session

Indiana House Members 1 Visclosky, Peter DVisclosky, Peter 2 Walorski, Jackie RWalorski, Jackie 3 Stutzman, Marlin RStutzman, Marlin 4 Rokita, Todd RRokita, Todd 5 Brooks, Susan W. RBrooks, Susan W. 6 Messer, Luke RMesser, Luke 7 Carson, André DCarson, André 8 Bucshon, Larry RBucshon, Larry 9 Young, Todd RYoung, Todd

Our Senators Dan Coats (R) seat is up for election in 2016 Joe Donnelly (D) elected in 2012 seat will be up in 2018

Members of Senate Joe Donnelly Elected to Senate in (elected to the House in 2007) Dan Coats Elected to Congress in 1988, was defeated by Evan Bayh in 1998 and won in 2010 when Bayh did not seek reelection

Salary and Benefits  1789 members were paid $6.00 per day, today all members make $174,000 a year (some members make more because of their position, I.E. Speaker of the House and President Pro-Temp of the Senate make $223,500)  27 th Amendment prohibits congress from given themselves a pay raise  As of had retired under CSRS and were receiving an average annual pension of $60,972 (could make as much as $150,00 per year)  Congressman buy private insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (congress members choose not to take the New National Government Insurance Program.

Privileges of Members  Franking Privilege  Large Allowances for office staff (in DC and at home), trips home, phones, many parking spaces in DC, gym memberships  Immune from arrest or lawsuit for statements made on the floor.  May refuse a seat to an elected or appoited member by majority vote

Members of Congress  535 members in total  100 Senators  435 in the House House also has 4 delegates from D.C, Guam, American Samoa and the Virgin Islands and 1 Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico (can do everything a congressmen can but vote)

Membership of Congress  Democrats control the Senate (2 independets)  Republicans control the House (2 vacant seats)  Average Age in House 56.7 in the Senate 62.2  Ninety-one women serve in the 112th Congress: 74 in the House, including 3 Delegates, and 17 in the Senate. There are 44 African American Members of the House (a record number) and none in the Senate. This House number includes two Delegates. There are 28 Hispanic or Latino Members serving: 26 in the House, including the Resident Commissioner, and 2 in the Senate. Thirteen Members (nine Representatives, two Delegates, and two Senators) are Asian or Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander. The only American Indian (Native American) serves in the House.

Jobs of Congress Members  Majority of the Members are Lawyers, followed by Business and Education (81)  Least previous profession – Doctor only 2 in the Senate and 15 in the House112 th Congress  Which house do you think will be more diverse? And why.

Reelection to Congress  Membership in congress has changed very slowly because office holders seldom lose reelection.  Between almost a 90% reelection rate  1994 Tidal Wave Republicans win many elections and took control of Congress for the first time since  Today Congress is split. Controlled by the Republicans in the House and the Democrats in the Senate.