Legislative Branch Chapter 10 - Congress

The National Legislature Article I of the Constitution – Established a bicameral legislature – Houses in the Legislative Branch House of Representatives Senate Congress is bicameral because – It was like the British Parliamentary system – Early state legislatures used it – It was part of the Connecticut/Great Compromise – The framers hoped each house would check the other’s power

Term of Congress – Term = 2 years – Session = 1 year

The House of Representatives The largest of the two houses – 435 members – Representation is based on population – The census every 10 years determines apportionment – Each state is guaranteed at least one representative Elected from districts within the state Districts are drawn by state legislatures Districts must be drawn in accordance with the ‘one-man, one-vote rule (no gerrymandering)

Representatives – Qualifications Be at least 25 years old Be a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years Live in the stae/district they represent – Are elected for a two-year tem and have unlimited chances for re-election

Senate Constitution – Guarantees each state two senators – Total senators is 100 Qualifications – Must be at least 30 years old – Be a citizen for at least 9 years – Live in the state they represent – Are elected for a six-year term. Have unlimited chances for re-electionre-election

Members of Congress Congress is not a representative cross-section of the American population Congressmen have five jobs – Legislator who makes laws – Representative for the interests of their constituents – Servant who helps their constituents – Committee member who serves on committees in Congress – Politician who tries to please everyone

Congressmen adopt one of four behavior styles –T–Trustee – decisions are based on their best judgment –D–Delegate – they follow the wishes of their constituents –P–Partisan – they follow their political party –P–Politico – they try to balance all three of the above

Office Holders House of Representatives – Speaker of the House – John Boehner – Majority Party Leader – Eric Cantor – Minority Party Leader – Nancy Pelosi – 6 th District Representative – Tom Price Senate – Senate President – Joe Biden – Senate President Pro Tempore – Daniel Inouye – Majority Party Leader – Harry Reid – Minority Party Leader – Mitch McConnell – GA’s Senior Senator – Saxby Chambliss – GA’s Junior Senator – Johnny Isakson