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.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

In this section, we will describe the several complex steps that are involved in taking and idea and turning it into law. In this section, we will describe the several complex steps that are involved in taking and idea and turning it into law. We will be able to explain how bills are introduced and how they work their way through congress. We will be able to explain how bills are introduced and how they work their way through congress. We will be able to explain the actions the President can talk once a bill has been passed by congress. We will be able to explain the actions the President can talk once a bill has been passed by congress.

Types of Bills Of the more than 10,000 bills introduced each congressional term, only several hundred become law. Of the more than 10,000 bills introduced each congressional term, only several hundred become law. Bills fall into two categories. Private bills concern individual people or places. Public bills apply to the entire nation and involve general matters like taxation, civil rights, or terrorism. Bills fall into two categories. Private bills concern individual people or places. Public bills apply to the entire nation and involve general matters like taxation, civil rights, or terrorism.

Types of Bills Congress also considers different kinds of resolutions, or formal statements expressing lawmakers’ opinions or decisions. Many resolutions do not have the force of law. Congress also considers different kinds of resolutions, or formal statements expressing lawmakers’ opinions or decisions. Many resolutions do not have the force of law. Joint resolutions are passed by both houses of Congress and do become law if signed by the president. Joint resolutions are passed by both houses of Congress and do become law if signed by the president.

From Bill to Law Ideas for bills come from members of Congress, citizens, and the White House. Ideas for bills come from members of Congress, citizens, and the White House. Other bills are suggested by special-interest groups, or organizations of people with some common interest who try to influence government decisions. Other bills are suggested by special-interest groups, or organizations of people with some common interest who try to influence government decisions.

From Bill to Law Only senators and representatives may introduce bills in Congress. Only senators and representatives may introduce bills in Congress. Every bill is given a title and number, and is then sent to an appropriate standing committee. Every bill is given a title and number, and is then sent to an appropriate standing committee.

From Bill to Law The committee chairperson decides which bills get ignored and which get studied. The committee chairperson decides which bills get ignored and which get studied. Those that merit attention are often researched by a subcommittee. Those that merit attention are often researched by a subcommittee. Experts and citizens may voice opinions about a bill in public hearings or written statements. Experts and citizens may voice opinions about a bill in public hearings or written statements.

From Bill to Law Standing committees can: Standing committees can: 1.pass the bill without change 2. mark changes and suggest that the bill be passed, 3.replace the bill with an alternative, 4.pigeonhole the bill (ignore it and let it die), or 5.kill the bill by majority vote. When a committee is against a bill, it almost never becomes law. When a committee is against a bill, it almost never becomes law.

From Bill to Law Bills approved in committee are put on the schedules to be considered by the full House or Senate. Bills approved in committee are put on the schedules to be considered by the full House or Senate. The Senate usually takes up bills in the order listed. The Senate usually takes up bills in the order listed. In the House, the Rules Committee can give priority to some bills and not let others get to the floor. In the House, the Rules Committee can give priority to some bills and not let others get to the floor.

From Bill to Law When bills reach the floor, members debate the pros and cons. The House accepts only relevant amendments. When bills reach the floor, members debate the pros and cons. The House accepts only relevant amendments. The Senate allows riders—completely unrelated amendments— to be tacked onto the bill. The Senate allows riders—completely unrelated amendments— to be tacked onto the bill.

From Bill to Law The House Rules Committee puts time limits on the discussion. Senators may speak as long as they like and need not even address the topic at hand. The House Rules Committee puts time limits on the discussion. Senators may speak as long as they like and need not even address the topic at hand. Sometimes they filibuster, or talk a bill to death. A three-fifths vote for cloture can end a filibuster. Sometimes they filibuster, or talk a bill to death. A three-fifths vote for cloture can end a filibuster.

From Bill to Law In a simple voice vote, those in favor say “Yea” and those against say “No.” In a simple voice vote, those in favor say “Yea” and those against say “No.” In a standing vote, those in favor stand to be counted, and then those against stand. In a standing vote, those in favor stand to be counted, and then those against stand. A simple majority of members present passes a bill. After passing one house, the bill then goes to the other. If either house rejects the bill, it dies. A simple majority of members present passes a bill. After passing one house, the bill then goes to the other. If either house rejects the bill, it dies.

From Bill to Law Both houses must pass an identical bill. If either changes the bill it receives from the other house, a conference committee is formed to work out the differences. Both houses must pass an identical bill. If either changes the bill it receives from the other house, a conference committee is formed to work out the differences. The House and Senate must then either accept the revised bill as is or completely reject it. The House and Senate must then either accept the revised bill as is or completely reject it.

From Bill to Law After a bill passes both houses, it goes to the president. The president may sign it into law, veto (or refuse to sign) it, or do nothing for 10 days. After a bill passes both houses, it goes to the president. The president may sign it into law, veto (or refuse to sign) it, or do nothing for 10 days. Then if Congress is in session, the bill becomes law without the president’s signature. Then if Congress is in session, the bill becomes law without the president’s signature.

From Bill to Law If Congress had adjourned, the bill dies. Killing a bill this way is called a pocket veto. If Congress had adjourned, the bill dies. Killing a bill this way is called a pocket veto. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote of each house. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote of each house.