Chapter 5 Section 1

 Article I of Constitution sets Congress  Madison called Congress “the First Branch of this Government”  U.S. Congress = bicameral legislature  Congressional term = 2 sessions (aka meetings)  1 Session lasts 1 Year

 Constitution sets qualifications  Qualifications:  25 years old  Citizen of U.S. for 7 years  Be legal resident of state that elects them  2 year terms  Elected from congressional districts

 How does Congress assign representative on basis of population?  Taking a national census every 10 years  Each state’s population determines # of reps. for next 10 years - reapportionment  1929 Congress capped House members at 435

 Setting up new district lines after reapportionment – redistricting  State legislatures have abused redistricting power  2 ways how:  Creating congressional districts of unequal populations  Gerrymandering

 Term comes from MA Gov. Elbridge Gerry  Signed redistricting plan that gave his party advantage over Federalists  (An artist thought it looked like salamander, gave district head, wings, and claws)

 100 members  Qualifications:  30 years old  Citizen of U.S. for 9 years before election  Legal resident of state they represent  Residents choose at-large, or statewide  No district  6-year term

 Privileges/Benefits of Congress:  When attending or going to/from Congress, free from arrest “in all cases except treason, felony, breach of peace”  Postage for official business (“franking privilege”)  Gymnasium  Cannot be sued for what said on floor  May punish other members for disorderly conduct

 Officeholders seldom lose reelection  , about 90% of incumbents won  Reelected because:  Can raise funds easily  Districts gerrymandered  Name recognition  Voters grateful for solving problems