Representing the People

Requirements and Benefits of Congress

Both senators and members of the House must live in the state they represent. House members usually live in their districts, but are not required to do so. Both senators and members of the House must live in the state they represent. House members usually live in their districts, but are not required to do so. Senators must be at least 30 years old; House members, 25. Senators must be at least 30 years old; House members, 25. Senators must have been citizens for at least nine years; House members, seven years Senators must have been citizens for at least nine years; House members, seven years

Requirements and Benefits of Congress Most members of Congress have college degrees. Nearly half are lawyers. Most members of Congress have college degrees. Nearly half are lawyers. Rank-and-file Members receive a salary of $174,000, free office space, and trips to their home states. Rank-and-file Members receive a salary of $174,000, free office space, and trips to their home states. They have the franking privilege—they may send job- related mail for free. They have the franking privilege—they may send job- related mail for free.

Requirements and Benefits of Congress The Constitution grants senators and representatives immunity, or legal protection, in some situations. The Constitution grants senators and representatives immunity, or legal protection, in some situations. They may not break the law, though. They may not break the law, though.

Congressional Staff: The Helpers

The personal staff run the offices. They gather information on issues, arrange meetings, and write speeches. They handle requests from voters. The personal staff run the offices. They gather information on issues, arrange meetings, and write speeches. They handle requests from voters. They deal with reporters and lobbyists—people hired by private groups to influence government decision makers. They deal with reporters and lobbyists—people hired by private groups to influence government decision makers.

Congressional Staff: The Helpers The staff works for the member’s reelection on their own time. The staff works for the member’s reelection on their own time. Members of Congress hire students from their home states or districts to serve as interns and pages. Members of Congress hire students from their home states or districts to serve as interns and pages. Interns help with research and office duties. Pages deliver messages and run errands. Interns help with research and office duties. Pages deliver messages and run errands.

Congressional Staff: The Helpers Committee staffs generally have expert knowledge about special topics, such as taxes or defense. Committee staffs generally have expert knowledge about special topics, such as taxes or defense. They draft bills, gather information, organize committee hearings, and negotiate with lobbyists. They draft bills, gather information, organize committee hearings, and negotiate with lobbyists.

Congressional Staff: The Helpers The Library of Congress provides information for members of Congress and their staffs. The Library’s Congressional Research Service looks up facts and spells out arguments for and against bills.

Congressional Staff: The Helpers The General Accounting Office reviews spending activities of federal agencies, studies programs, and recommends ways to spend taxpayers’ dollars wisely. The General Accounting Office reviews spending activities of federal agencies, studies programs, and recommends ways to spend taxpayers’ dollars wisely. The Congressional Budget Office provides information and analyses to help Congress create a budget. It estimates costs and economic effects of programs. The Congressional Budget Office provides information and analyses to help Congress create a budget. It estimates costs and economic effects of programs.

Members of Congress at Work

Congressional sessions begin each January 3. In representing the people who elected them, members of Congress carry out three major jobs. Congressional sessions begin each January 3. In representing the people who elected them, members of Congress carry out three major jobs. Congress members make laws. They introduce bills, work on committees, listen to input for and against bills, and then vote. Congress members make laws. They introduce bills, work on committees, listen to input for and against bills, and then vote.

Members of Congress at Work Congress members do casework—they troubleshoot for people from their home district or state who request help in dealing with the federal government. Congress members do casework—they troubleshoot for people from their home district or state who request help in dealing with the federal government. Congress members protect the interests of their state or district. For example, a senator from a state with strong oil and gas industries might seek to influence oil and gas policies. Congress members protect the interests of their state or district. For example, a senator from a state with strong oil and gas industries might seek to influence oil and gas policies.

Members of Congress at Work Members also work to gain a share of national government spending for their constituents. Members also work to gain a share of national government spending for their constituents. A government contract can bring a lot of money to local businesses and jobs for local people. A government contract can bring a lot of money to local businesses and jobs for local people. Government projects and grants that primarily benefit the home district or state are called pork-barrel projects. Government projects and grants that primarily benefit the home district or state are called pork-barrel projects.