Congress Chapter 6 Sections 1 and 3

Congress Video

Legislative Branch Article I of the Constitution Makes laws Bicameral (2 houses) House of Representatives Membership based on a state’s population 435 total members Senate 2 members from each state 100 total members

Qualifications House of Representatives At least 25 years old Live in the state you represent Some states say you must live in that district too Most states you must live there a year before the election Been a US citizen for at least 7 years Senate At least 30 years old Live in the state you represent Most states you must live there a year before the election (Former Sen. Elizabeth Dole) Been a US citizen for at least 9 years

Privileges for HoR and Senate Salary- $165,200 a year Free office space/parking Free trips to home state Franking Privilege- can send job related mail without paying for stamps Low cost health insurance Use of special facilities: gyms, restaurants, medical clinics, etc. Immunity (legal protection) in certain situations

Congressional Leadership Majority Party- more than ½ members of HofR/Senate belong to the political party Minority Party- less than ½ the members of HofR/Senate belong to the political party Floor Leaders Majority Floor Leader- chosen as leader by the majority political party Minority Floor Leader- chosen as leader by the minority political party Whips Majority Whip- helps pass legislation for Majority Floor Leader Minority Whip- helps pass legislation for Minority Floor Leader

House of Representatives Leadership Speaker of the House- leader of the HoR, chosen by members of the majority party Has a GREAT amount of power! Steers legislation through the HoR Leads floor debates Next in line if Pres and VP die Nancy Pelosi Democrat California

Senate Leadership Vice President of the US is President of the Senate Technical leader, but doesn’t do much Only votes in case of a tie President Pro Tempore- leader of the Senate, chosen by members of the majority party Day to day leader of the Senate Not as powerful as Speaker of the House Daniel Inouye Democrat Hawaii

Committees Congress must consider thousands of bills during a yearlong session To make it possible for so many bills to pass, Congress has committees Standing Committees- permanent committees always in Congress Ex: Agriculture, Budget, Transportation Special Committees- formed for a limited amount of time to deal with special issues Ex: Security, Terrorism, Gulf Oil Spill Joint Committees- formed with members from both HoR and Senate Ex: Taxation

Differences Video

Congress At Work Representing Constituents Acting on their interest and concerns in Washington Bring federal government projects and money to their district Pork Barrel Projects- government projects/grants that primarily benefit their home district Lawmaking Passing legislation/laws Casework If necessary, help constituents solve problems with the federal government

House of Representatives Video

Membership 435 members Membership based on a state’s population Each state is guaranteed at least 1 member Serve 2 year terms before up for reelection Membership adjusted for states every 10 years Census- official population count every 10 years

Districts Members represent people from their district in their home state Constituents- people represented NC has 13 districts NC had 12 districts– but gained a new district with the 2000 census Had to make a new district so they made the 13 th district with Greensboro, Northern NC, and Raleigh (since these areas had the highest gains in population which added the new seat)

Gerrymander Gerrymander- nickname given to an oddly shaped district Gerrymander is not suppose to happen, and there are laws to prevent it Why would people want to create odd shaped districts?

5 th District Virginia Foxx (Republican) Northwestern NC, and areas around Winston-Salem such as Kernersville and Clemmons Was Richard Burrs seat before a Senator

6 th District Howard Coble (Republican) Most of Davidson County (not Lexington/Thomas ville), most of Randolph County, most of Guilford County (not High Point or Greensboro), and most of Alamance County (not Burlington)

12 th District Mel Watt (Democrat) Half of Greensboro, most of High Point, Winston- Salem, Thomasville, Lexington, Salisbury, and Charlotte Appears to go down I-85 Gerrymander?

13 th District Brad Miller (Democrat) Half of Greensboro, most of Burlington, Northern NC, and Raleigh Newer district Gerrymander?

NC Districts Show map of NC House of Representatives District congressional_districts congressional_districts

Senate Video

Membership 100 members 2 from each state Serve for 6 year terms before up for reelection Senator elections are staggered 1/3 of all Senators are up for reelection every 2 years Governor appoints a fill in if a Senator dies/resigns

NC Senators Richard Burr (Republican) Elected in 2004 From Winston Salem Formerly a member of the House of Representatives Kay Hagan (Democrat) Elected in 2008 From Greensboro Formerly a state legislator Both are all NC resident’s Senators- equally