The U.S. Congress House of Representatives And the Senate Chapter 10

Bicameralism A legislature made up of two houses Settled the conflict between the Virginia and New Jersey plans A reflection of federalism Equal representation in the Senate Representation bases on population in the House

The Congress Each term lasts for two years Congress begins at noon on Jan. 3 in every odd-numbered year We are currently in the 112 th Congress The president can call a special session of Congress 26 special session have been called

Congressional Elections “Election day is held on the Tuesday following the 1 st Monday in November in each even-numbered year” Off-year elections Those congressional elections that take place in non-presidential years – between presidential elections Fairly consistently the party in power loses seats in off year elections.

Congressional Districts Single-Member Districts The voters in each district elects one of the State’s representatives from those candidates running for a seat in the House. At Large Elections The state chooses the Representatives from the state as a whole

Major Differences Between the House and the Senate HouseSenate Larger 435Smaller year term6 year term 25 years of age30 years of age Less prestigeMore prestige Less visibilityMore visibility Filibuster

Make Up of the Current Congress We are currently in the 112 th Congress ( ) House of Representatives 435 Members [192 Democrats,241 Republicans, 0 Independents, 2 vacancies ] Senate 100 Members [51 Democrats (+1), 47 Republicans, 1 Independent, 1Independent Democrat]

Party Leadership Each house selects leaders by majority vote— the real selection is made ahead of time by the party leaders Congressional Leaders: Speaker of the House—always a member of the majority party President of the Senate—Vice President (has little authority) so… President Pro Tempore—a leading, senior member of the majority party is selected to preside

Congressional Leaders Majority Leader—the legislative leader of the party holding the majority of seats in the House or Senate Minority Leader—the legislative leader and spokesperson of the party holding the minority of seats in the House or Senate Whip—a senator or representative who works with the party leaders to communicate views, solicit support before votes are taken, and keep track of how voting is likely to go

Committee System Congress organizes its legislative work through a series of committees Designed to lessen the work More than 11,000 bills are presented by members of Congress during each 1 year session. Dozens of committees work simultaneously on different bills and each committee divides work further into subcommittees.

Types of Bills and Resolutions Bills Not often written by Congresspersons Joint resolutions Unusual or temporary measures Constitutional amendments Concurrent Resolutions Jointly between the House and Senate Not sent to the President Resolutions Rule of procedure or amendment to rule Not sent to the President Rider Addition to a bill

The 4 Voting Options Trustee individual beliefs and values – your conscience Delegate you represent the people back home Partisan political party supports Politico combination of reasons

President Acts on Legislation 1. Sign the bill and it becomes law 2. President may veto a bill – refuse to sign Congress may pass with 2/3 vote in both houses 3. The President allows the bill to become law with out signing it or by not acting on it within 10 days 4. Pocket veto – if congress adjourns its session within 10 days of submitting a bill to the President and the President does not act, the bill dies Trustee Each issue decided on merit using their conscience and independent judgment: call them as they see them Delegate The vote based on the needs of the folks back home Partisan Their 1 st allegiance to their political party. Vote in line with the party platform. Politicos Combine the other 3 roles and balance the conflicting factors

435 Members Total number per state based on population Changes after each census-apportioned 7 states with only one Representative Alaska, Delaware, Montana, North and South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming U.S. Territories Wash D.C., Guam, The Virgin Islands and Samoa elect a delegate to represent Puerto Rico has a resident commissioner to represent None can vote on legislation

The Senate and House of Representatives 1/3 of the Senate members have previously served in the House of Representatives None of the members of the House have ever served in the Senate

Two Senators per state Originally selected from the state legislatures 17 th amendment gives the power to the people to elect 1/3 elected every 2 years to stagger experience

Characteristics of Congresspersons The average member is a white male in his mid-50’s. More minorities than ever before Women – 14 in the Senate and 68 in the House – 13.8% African Americans- 42 in the House & 0 in Senate Hispanics – 24 in the House 3 Pacific Islanders – 1 Senate and 2 House 2 Asian Americans in the House 1 Native American in the Senate 3 out gays and lesbians – 3 in the House

Characteristics of the Congresspersons Nearly all are married: few have divorced They average 2 children Religion : 60% Protestant, 30% Catholic, 6% Jewish Lawyers: 33% House and over 50% in the Senate Others from business, banking, education, agriculture, journalism and public service. Highly educated

Duties of the Job 1. Legislators who make the laws 2. Committee Members Screen bills and make recommendations Oversight function of governmental agencies 3. Representatives of their Constituents- Those who elect them 4. Servants of their Constituents 5. Politicians Much time spent fundraising for future elections

Congressional Members—Illinois Senate— Dick Durbin (D) Mark Kirk ( R ) House of Representatives Joe Walsh (R) 8 th District

Perks of the Job High salary $ 158,000 Speaker of the House - $192,600 Tax deductions for second home Travel allowances Low cost and high quality health care Generous Pension based on years served Offices and staff in their home state and in Washington D.C. Free printing, postage and distribution Free Parking Restaurants, health clubs and haircuts Privileged from arrest going to, during or leaving work Legislative immunity when working

Gerrymandering The districts have been drawn to the advantage of the political party that controls the state legislature. Wesberry v. Sanders, 1964 The Supreme Court held that the population differences among Georgia’s congressional districts were so great as to violate the Constitution One person, one vote decision Gives additional power to the cities and suburbs based on representation in Congress

Don’t Mess with Texas

Gerrymandering