United States Government and Politics CONGRESS

A Brief Review THE FORMATION OF CONGRESS

 Constitutional Convention  Two Plans: Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan  Compromise: Connecticut FORMATION OF CONGRESS

 Bicameral Legislature  House of Representatives  Each state’s representation is based on population  Senate  Each state is represented by two senators SET-UP OF CONGRESS

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 435 members  Constitution does not fix the number of representatives  House seats must be assigned among the states based on population  Each state is guaranteed one member regardless of size THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 Set in the Constitution  25 years old  Citizen of the United States for at least 7 years  Legal resident of the state from which he/she is elected  Traditionally representatives live in the district they represent QUALIFICATIONS

 Two year terms  Every two years all 435 members are up for re-election  House is reorganized every two years  90% of representatives are re-elected which allows for continuity  If a representative resigns or dies before his/her term is complete, the governor of his/her state appoints a temporary replacement until a special election can be called TERMS OF OFFICE

 Representation is determined by the Census (population count completed every ten years)  Population of each state determines reapportionment  House originally had 64 members – as the population of the country grew, Congress voted to increase membership in the House  1929: Reapportionment Act of 1929 – limited House to 435 seats to be divided among the 50 states  After reapportionment comes redistricting – State Legislatures determine congressional districts  Abuses of redistricting power:  Unequal representation  Gerrymandering REPRESENTATION AND REAPPORTIONMENT

THE SENATE

 Constitution provides for two senators from each state  100 members (two from each of fifty states)  Equal representation THE SENATE

 30 years old  Citizens of the United States for nine years  Legal residents of the state which he/she represents QUALIFICATIONS

 Senators serve six year terms  Only 1/3 of senators run for re-election every two years  Founding Fathers planned for continuity in the Senate  Continuity is greater than originally planned because many Senators are re-elected  If a senator resigns or dies before end of his/her term then the state legislature may give the governor permission to appoint someone to fulfill the rest of the term OR the governor may decide to hold a special election to the fill the spot TERMS OF OFFICE