Congress

Big Picture: Representative Democracy

Congress Congress = the Legislative Branch What does Congress do?

Congress

What does Congress do? “Translate the public will into public policy in the form of law.”

Congress What does Congress do? Congress decides what the (federal) government will do.

Congress What does Congress look like? How is structured and organized?

Congress U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate Bicameral Legislature

Congress U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate 246 Republicans – 188 Democrats54 Reps – 44 Dems – 2 Inds

Congress

Indiana’s Congressional Delegation

Congress Indiana’s Congressional Delegation

Congress Indiana’s Congressional Delegation

Congress Indiana’s Congressional Delegation Senior Senator Dan Coats Junior Senator Joe Donnelly

Congress “Term” Term of Congress (2 years) th 111th110th109th108th 107th1st Session

Congress “Term” Term of Congress (2 years) Term of a member of the House (2 years) th 111th110th109th108th 107th1st

Congress “Term” Term of a member of the Senate (6 years) th 111th110th109th108th 107th1st

Congress “Term” Term of a President (4 years) th 111th110th109th108th 107th1st ObamaBush

Congress “Term” th 111th110th109th108th 107th1st ObamaBush Election

Congress “Term” th 111th110th109th108th 107th1st ObamaBush “Off-year” Election

Congress “Term” th 111th110th109th108th 107th1st ObamaBush Election

Congress I.Basics A.Bicameral 1.Historical (parliament, colonial legislatures) 2.Practical (Connecticut Compromise) 3.Each house has own “character” 4.Part of system of checks and balances

Congress I.Basics B.House apportionment 1.1 st Congress: 65 members a.1:37,000 2.Census every ten years 3.House membership grew to 435 in – no reapportionment 5.Reapportionment Act of 1929 a.Fixes house membership at Ratio now 1:713,000

Congress