Legislative Branch Chapter 10

Congress’ Effect on YOU What are some specific examples of Congress’ effect on you? Sets the minimum wage All public high schools must allow student religious groups to meet in the school, on the same terms that other student groups may do so Health Care Law National Debt/Spending Education laws – NCLB (2002) – tests Much, much more

The National Legislature A Bicameral congress Historical Based on the British Parliament Practical Settle the conflict between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan Theoretical Act as a check on each other

A Conversation with Thomas Jefferson and George Washington A breakfast-table conversation between Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Jefferson, told Washington that he was opposed two two-chambered legislature. As he made his point, he poured his coffee into his saucer, and Washington asked him why he did so. “To cool it,” replied Jefferson. Washington replied, “we pour legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool it.”

Terms of Congress Term: Session: Each term of Congress lasts for two years Session: Period of time during which, each year, Congress assembles and conducts business. There are two sessions to each term of Congress Special Session: a meeting to deal with some emergency situation. Only 26 times. http://thomas.loc.gov/home/ds/h1122.html - Congress’ schedule

House of Representatives Size and Terms: 435 – Set by Congress (not by Constitution) Apportioned (distributed) among the States on the basis of their populations. Each State is guaranteed at least one seat in the House

Reapportionment Article I of the Constitution directs Congress to reapportion the seats in the House after each census. The original House had 65 seats. Current number was set in 1912. Today each of the 435 seats in the House represents an average of 700,000 persons. (Kansas 715,000)

Reapportionment example 2004 election

Kansas Redistricting 2000 & 2010

Congressional Elections Congressional elections are held on the same day in every State Tuesday following the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year. Off Year Elections: Those congressional elections that occur in the non-presidential years. Party in power usually loses seats

Midterm Election Lack of Turnout

Districts P. 268 7 States now have only one seat in the house of Representatives-AK, MT, VT, WY, DE, ND, & SD Single member district – voters in each district elect one of the States candidates At-Large district elections – elected from the state as a whole; no longer used

Congressional Reapportionment Redistricting Gerrymandering Drawing district lines to advantage of one party History of the term gerrymander – pg. 271 “He who draws the lines determines the winners.”

Sample population distribution Sample population distribution. Each symbol represents a voter in a generic state Majority gerrymandering to ensure complete electoral dominance. A fair distribution Gerrymandering designed to ensure over-representation for the smaller party.

Mississippi Congressional Districts

Louisiana Congressional Districts

Illinois Congressional Districts http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://nationalatlas.gov/congdist/Il04_108.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.consensusplan.org/plugin/template/consensus/19/144&h=379&w=684&sz=33&tbnid=PSz9GjAhvQoJ:&tbnh=75&tbnw=135&start=3&prev=/images%3Fq%3DIllinois%2BCongressional%2Bdistricts%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8

Wesberry v. Sanders (1964) P. 271 “One person one vote” Demands States draw congressional districts of equal populations

Congressional Elections $$$$ $10.5 million average cost of winning a Senate Campaign (2012) $1.7 million average campaign cost of winning a House seat (2012) http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/cost-u-s-senate-seat-10-5-million-article-1.1285491 The Power of the Incumbency

Qualifications for Membership - House Formal Must be at least 25 years of age Must have been a citizen of the U.S. for at least 7 years Must be an inhabitant of the state from which he or she is elected Informal p. 273 vary from district to district based on the demographics of the district (party identification, gender, ethnic characteristics, political experience – need the “right” combination of these factors)

Senate Size Election 100 members Two Senators from each State The Senate provides for “a necessary fence” against the “fickleness and passion” of the House James Madison Election Originally chosen by the State Legislatures 17th Amendment – 1912 Direct election of Senators

Senate Terms: Qualifications: Six year terms Continuous body – all of its seats are never up for election at the same time Constituencies – entire state Qualifications: 30 years old Citizen for at least 9 years Resident in the State they represent

Senators 6 year term gives greater job security Subject less to pressure of public opinion National political leaders

Members of Congress Personal and Political Backgrounds Whatever else they may be, the 535 members of congress are not a representative cross section of the American people. Rather the ‘average’ member is a white male in his mid-50’s, married, lawyers. SEE PAGE 279 AND CHART ON 280

The Job Five Major Roles (p. 280) Law makers Representatives of their constituents Committee members Servants of their constituents Politicians

Representatives of the People Four Types of Representation Trustee (“call em as they see em”) Delegate (vote how the folks back home want) Partisan – (loyal to party) Politico (balance the above ideas) Oversight Function Political Watchdog – makes sure executive branch is in line with law

Pay, Perks, and Privileges Congressional Salaries $174,000 (some paid more – Speaker of House & President Pro Tempore) http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/05/03/93358/congress-where-44-percent-are.html Special benefits Tax deduction Franking privileges Staffs Congressional Immunities “cloak of legislative immunity” Protection from libel or slander Still must face treason, felony, and breach of the peace charges See page 283

Politics of Pay 27th Amendment Proposed 1789 Ratified 1992 Pay increases do not go into effect until next congressional election

Membership Privileges Congressional Immunity (p. 284) Article 1, Section 6, Clause 1