Representing the People Section 3

Key Terms Franking Privilege: The right of senators and representatives to send job-related mail without paying postage Lobbyist: Representative of an interest group who contacts lawmakers or other government officials directly to influence policy making Casework: The work that a lawmaker does to help constituents with a problem Pork-Barrel Project: Government projects and grants that primarily benefit the home district or state

Requirements and Benefits of Congress Legal qualifications: Constitution Senator: 30 yrs old –Live in state you represent –U.S. citizen 9 yrs House of Reps: 25 yrs old –Live in state you represent –U.S. citizen 7 yrs

Requirements and Benefits of Congress Salary for Congress: –$165,200 (`07) Senators and reps. Free –Office space –Parking –Trips to home states –Franking privilege

Congressional Staff: Behind The Scenes Helpers Congress: Full-time job Need help with workloads –Hire staff of clerks, secretaries, and special assistants Personal Staff Committee Staff Support Services

Personal Staff Gather info. on new bills and issues that will be discussed in Congress Write speeches Arrange meetings Deal with reporters Deal with lobbyist Work for reelection

Personal Staff Members of Congress also hire students from home state or district to serve as pages or interns Interns: help with research and office duties Pages: deliver messages and run errands Gives them first-hand look at political process

Committee Staff Congressional Committees need staff Every Committee and Subcommittee as staff members Many have knowledge about special topics –Taxes –Military defense –Health care Member duties: –Draft bills –Gather info. –Organize committee hearings –Negotiate with lobbyists

Support Services Congress has created agencies to support its work: –Library of Congress One of largest libraries in world –Congressional Research Service Looks up facts Creates arguments for and against proposed bills

Support Services –General Accounting Office Reviews spending of federal agencies Studies federal programs Recommends ways to improve govt. spending –Congressional Budget Office Provides info. And analysis for making budget decisions Estimates costs and economic effects of programs

Members of Congress at Work Sessions begin Jan. 3rd –Continue throughout year Members represent the people of their state or district Members perform 3 major jobs: 1.Lawmaking 2.Casework 3.Helping the District of State

Lawmaking Most known task of Congress Write and introduce bills Committee work Listen to input of people on bills Vote

Casework Members of Congress perform Casework –Requests come by mail or –Congress gets 80,000 s daily –Some offices average 10,000 requests for help yearly Most requests are handled by Congress person’s staff

Helping the District or State Members need to protect the interest of their state or district Securing projects and grant money –Billions of $$$$ yearly Post offices Dams Military bases Veteran’s hospitals Mass transit Contracts to make things etc.. Pork-Barrel Projects

Homework Worksheets #71-74