Bicameral Legislature Lawmaking body consisting of two houses: House of Representatives and Senate How did we get there? Virginia Plan: Bicameral legislature with houses based off population New Jersey Plan: Bicameral legislature with houses based off a set number of representatives per state Connecticut Compromise: One house (House of Representatives) uses population data, the other uses a set number (Senate)

House of Representatives Based off population but each state must have at least 1 representative District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands have one delegate who cannot vote Consists of 435 members Why 435 ? 1789: 65 reps in the House (one for every 30,000 people) Over time change needed due to added population 1911: Limit to be 435

How does the 435 get divided? Apportioned (distributed by population) Each state gets a number appropriate to it from census data If population increases, you may acquire seats If population decreases, you may lose seats Each state is divided into districts based off population Gerrymandering: drawing district lines that favor a particular political party, politician, group, etc.

House (continued) Elections held every even-numbered year All members have two-year terms If a member dies or resigns during his term, the governor of the home state is required to call a special election to fill the vacancy

Requirements for the House Be at least 25 years old Been a US citizen for at least 7 years Be a legal resident of the state you represent Not necessary to live in district you run in

Senate Two Senators from each state Six year terms Elections held each even-numbered year Thus, 1/3 of Senate comes up for election every 2 years Ensures 2/3 have experience If someone dies, governors appoint member until next regular election or state has a special election

Congress in General Salary: $174,000 Members get an allowance to pay staff members as well Provided offices in Capitol Free trips to home state Allowances for local offices Franking privilege: right to mail letters or packages for free Leaders in each chamber receive extra compensation No limits on how many terms you may have

Congress (continued) Immunity when Congress is in session Cannot be arrested in or on their way to or from a meeting in Congress Reason: not unnecessarily kept from performing their duties Rules of Conduct Limits on outside income and full disclosure of finances Can challenge qualifications of newly elected members

Can our Reps be punished? Expulsion: Person must give up seat in Congress Requires a 2/3 vote Only for very serious offenses Only happened 20 times (5 in House; 15 in Senate) Last House member in 2002 (James Traficant) Last Senate member in 1862 (Jesse D. Bright) Many times expulsion votes fail or person in question resigns John Ensign of Nevada in 2011

Can our Reps be punished? Censure: Formal disapproval of actions Must stand alone at front of House/Senate and listen as the charges are read Censures: 9 in Senate, 23 in House Last one in 2010: Charles Rangel of New York