D. House Qualifications 1) 25 years old 2) U.S. resident for 7 years 3) Legal resident of elected state

E. House Representation Determined by state’s population Census – Population count taken every ten yearsCensus Reapportionment – Redistribution of the House’s 435 members according to populationReapportionment

F. Gerrymandering Gerrymandering – Political party controlling state government draws district lines to favor their partyGerrymandering First germander looked like a salamander Supreme Court has ruled this unconstitutional in most cases but it still takes place in most states How you draw the lines matters

First report of Gerrymandering – Boston Gazette – March 26, 1812

First Gerrymander

Nebraska Gerrymandering!

G. Senate Membership 100 members Each state has 2 senators Serve 6 year terms Each Senator is allowed 40 staff members Potential Senate staff = 4,000 At-Large – Senators represent and are elected by their entire state 1/3 rd of the Senate is elected every two years

H. Senate Qualifications 1) 30 years old 2) U.S. citizen for 9 years 3) Legal resident of state elected

I. Salary and Benefits High paying salary they receive for the rest of their life – after they serve for five years Office in the capitol building Allowed free trips to home state Franking Privilege – Right to mail official letter free of charge Congressional Immunity – Free from arrest “in all cases except treason, felon, and breach of peace” Unable to be sued for statements made in Congress

Frank

J. Rules of Conduct Exclusion – May refuse to seat an elected member by the majority party Must make full disclosure of financial holdings Expulsion – Removal from office with a 2/3 rd vote

Censure – Vote of formal disapproval of a members actions Accused member stand in front of Congress alone, and listen to the charges against them Public spankin’

Censured: December 2010

K. Reelection to Congress Incumbents – Members already in Congress A majority are reelected to Congress – During most years Helps Congress maintain stability