Chapter 6 Congress

Representing the People Section 3

Requirements and Benefits of Congress Congress House of Representatives Senate

The House of Representatives Most Representatives have had successful careers in law or business. Most Representatives have had successful careers in law or business. 70% to 80% of House members get reelected. 70% to 80% of House members get reelected.

The House of Representatives Small states such as Wyoming and Vermont have one Representative, while larger states such as California have 53. Small states such as Wyoming and Vermont have one Representative, while larger states such as California have 53.

The House of Representatives One representative represents whole state while states with more than one representative is broken up into districts. One representative represents whole state while states with more than one representative is broken up into districts. Gerrymandering is practiced, which is illegal, for political reasons when a state has more than one representative. Gerrymandering is practiced, which is illegal, for political reasons when a state has more than one representative.

Salary, Benefits, and Privileges Can set own salary. From per diem (daily payment) of $6.00 Can set own salary. From per diem (daily payment) of $6.00 Annual salary ( started 1815) Annual salary ( started 1815) ($165,200) 2006 ($165,200) 2006 HOR & Senate HOR & Senate Majority & Minority Leaders Majority & Minority Leaders $ $

Salary, Benefits, and Privileges Speaker of the House Speaker of the House $212,100 $212,100 Free to turn down pay increase and many do. Free to turn down pay increase and many do.

Salary, Benefits, and Privileges Benefits such as free office space, parking, and trips to their home states. Benefits such as free office space, parking, and trips to their home states. Budgets to pay for assistants, office staffs, and supplies. Budgets to pay for assistants, office staffs, and supplies. Discounts on medical care, video production, and haircuts. Discounts on medical care, video production, and haircuts.

Salary, Benefits, and Privileges Franking Privilege (Job related mail without paying postage) Franking Privilege (Job related mail without paying postage) Immunity granted in certain situations. Immunity granted in certain situations.

Salary, Benefits, and Privileges Cannot be arrested while doing their job. Cannot be arrested while doing their job. Can be expelled from Congress for acts of dishonesty. Requires two-thirds vote of either house and reserved for the more serious crimes. Can be expelled from Congress for acts of dishonesty. Requires two-thirds vote of either house and reserved for the more serious crimes.

Personal Staff Congress members staffs run offices in Washington D. C. as well as the congressional member’s home didtrict. Congress members staffs run offices in Washington D. C. as well as the congressional member’s home didtrict. They gather information on new bills and issues. They gather information on new bills and issues.

Personal Staff They arrange meetings and write speeches. They arrange meetings and write speeches. They deal with news reporters and lobbyists. They deal with news reporters and lobbyists. Hire students from their home states to act as interns and pages. Hire students from their home states to act as interns and pages. Interns help with research and office duties, while pages deliver messages and run errands. Interns help with research and office duties, while pages deliver messages and run errands.

Committee Staff Every committee and subcommittee in Congress has staff members that work for that committee. Every committee and subcommittee in Congress has staff members that work for that committee.

Support Services Library of Congress Library of Congress The Congressional Research Service The Congressional Research Service The General Accounting Office The General Accounting Office The Congressional Budget Office The Congressional Budget Office

Members of Congress at Work Perform three major jobs. Perform three major jobs. Lawmaking Lawmaking Casework Casework Help District or State Help District or State

Lawmaking Writing and introducing bills that may go on to become laws for the people of the United States. Writing and introducing bills that may go on to become laws for the people of the United States.

Casework Helping constituents in dealing with federal government. Helping constituents in dealing with federal government. 80,000 s a day. 80,000 s a day.

Helping the District or State Protect the interest of his or her state. Protect the interest of his or her state. Base closings. Base closings. Government contracts. Government contracts.