1. Congress: The Legislative Branch
Chapter 10

2. Back to Chapter 1 for a sec…
What kind of democracy do we live in?
So the people rule, but they don’t make public policy
Who does make it?
Congress

3. Bicameral Congress
Our Congress is bicameral, meaning it has two houses
The larger house, which is supposedly the “common man’s house,” is the House of Representatives
The smaller house, which is for “the elite” of America is the Senate

4. Basic Information
Since you get new congress members every 2 years, we call each 2 year period a “term” of Congress
The terms are numbered consecutively… the one that ended Dec was the 113th Congress
The one that started in 2013 is called the 114th Congress

5. Basic Information
A session of Congress is all the time it takes to finish their business for the year
So how many sessions are there in a term of Congress?
Two!

6. The House of Representatives
House of Reps.

7. Members of the House of Representatives
There are 435 house members
Representatives are elected to a term of 2 years
There is no limit on how many terms a Representative may serve.
Each state is guaranteed at least one seat.

8. The House of Representatives

9. Seats in the House
Seats are apportioned (given out) to each state based on population
Every 10 years seats are reapportioned after the census, when a new count of the population is taken
Ever since 1929, the number has been 435 (Reapportionment Act)

10. Seats in the House
Every state divides itself into districts based on the number of seats apportioned to the state
For example, Arizona is given 9 seats based on our population

13. Gerrymandering
Gerrymandering - drawing districts to the advantage of the political party that controls the State’s legislature
Gerrymandering is widespread today

14. The Senate
The Senate

15. Members of the Senate There are 100 Senators (2 from each state)
Senators are elected to a term of 6 years
There is no limit on how many terms a Senator may serve.
Senators represent an entire state

16. The Senate

17. Seats in the Senate
The Constitution establishes that there are 2 seats per state in the Senate
50 States = 100 Senators

18. What Does it Take to be in the House?
25 years old
U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
Must live in the state you are elected in
Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ 9th District)

19. What Does it Take to be in the Senate?
30 Years Old
U.S. Citizen for 9 Years
Must live in the state you are elected in
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)

20. Off-Year Elections
In the election years where there is no presidential election (2006, 2010, 2014?), the president’s party usually loses seats in Congress
In 2010 Democrats lost 62 seats in the House and 5 in the Senate

21. Comparing the House and the Senate
Senators have a much longer term
Entire House is elected at once, while only 1/3 of Senate is chosen at a time
House members appeal to one small district, Senators appeal to entire state

22. Demographics of Congress
Congress is not at all demographically representative of the U.S. population
For example…

23. Demographics of 112th Congress
U.S.
Males – 49%
Females – 51%
Congress
Males – 83%
Females – 17%

24. Demographics of 112th Congress
White – 85%
Black – 8%
Hispanic – 5%
Asian – 2%
Native – 0%
U.S.
White – 75%
Black – 12%
Hispanic – 13%
Asian – 4%
Native – 1%
*Many people qualify as more than 1 race

25. Demographics of 112th Congress
U.S.
Millionaires – 0.7%
Non-Millionaires – 99.3%
Congress
Millionaires – 33%
Non-Millionaires – 67%

26. 111th/112th Congress 09-11/11-13 House Senate Democrats 255/192 56/51
Independents
2/2
Republicans
179/240
42/47
Vacancies
1/3

27. Why is Congress made up of rich, white men?
A few reasons:
A large proportion of the people that run for political office are rich, white men
It is easier to win if you have a lot of money
We the people elect these rich, white men into office

28. What are the Perks?
Senatorial and Representative salary:
$174,000

29. Other Benefits
Franking Privilege - allows congress members to mail letters and other materials postage free.
Full medical coverage at low cost
Budgets to hire staff
Special federal income tax deductions