Chapter 5

 Bicameral legislature  Senate  House of Representatives  Each term consists of 2 sessions  Session is one year  Census assigns reps by state  Through process of reapportionment  Redistricting  Abuse power through gerrymandering North Carolina Congressional Districts, 2002

 435 total members  Qualifications:  25 years old  Citizen for 7 years  Resident of their state  Serve 2 year terms

Composed of 100 members Two from each state Qualifications 30 years old Citizen for 9 years Resident of their state 6 year terms 1/3 are elected every other year Every state gets two Elected at-large

 Benefits  Stationery and paid postage  Trips  Telephones, telegrams, and newsletters  Medical clinic  Both can judge the qualifications of new members  Punish members for disorderly behavior  censure

 535 total voting members  4 non-voting delegates  D.C., Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands  1 resident commissioner from Puerto Rico  Membership changes slowly  Incumbents generally win