1. The Basics of the National Legislature
Congress
The Basics of the National Legislature

2. Unit Two Packet! NUMBER 1 ON TOP!!! All About those Political Parties
The Nation’s First Parties
Voting and Voter Behavior
The Electoral Process
Influences on Elections
Study Guide
Bell Ringers!

3. Bell Ringer!!!
Tell me everything you know (or think you know) about Congress!

4. The Basics Purpose: To make laws Structure: Bicameral = two houses!
Senate & House of Reps
Term: No limits
Senate – 6 Years
House of Reps. – 2 Years
Session: 2-year period of “legislative business”
Currently moving into 115th
Jan. 3, 2017 – Jan. 3, 2019
Special Session: Can only be called by President
Basic Vocab:
Convenes – Session begins
Adjourns – Session ends
Recess – Break time
-Last time special session called—Harry Truman in July 1948
-Political move—was about to lose the election and called Congress to enact civil rights legislation. Reps said no, accused him of political motivation and abuse of power. Dems spun it and called the 80th Congress the “do-nothing” Congress. Truman won!

5. The House of Representatives
Who can be in the House?
25 Years Old
Citizen – 7 Years
Live in state that elects you

6. The House of Representatives
Idaho has 2!
How do we get the number?
Divided up among states
Based on population = PROPORTIONAL Representation
Single-Member Districts
Raul Labrador
District – 1
(2011)
Mike Simpson
District – 2
(1999)

7. The House of Representatives
Reapportionment –
Redistributing the amount of legislatures each state gets after the census
Redistricting –
Redrawing district lines within a state
Determined by the state legislature
Problems –
Gerrymandering!

8. Senate Who can be in the Senate? 30 Years Old Citizen – 9 Years
Live in state that elects you

9. Senate How do we get the number? 100 Senators
Idaho gets 2!
How do we get the number?
Apportionment based on EQUAL representation
2 for each state
Set by Constitution
Mike Crapo
(1998)
Jim Risch
(2009)

10. Senate Senators originally elected by STATE legislatures
Meant to be buffer, more “enlightened” than House
17th Amendment created direct elections of Senators
1/3 elected every two years

11. So what do members do? Number one job is to legislate–make laws!
Represent constituents:
Constituents are people in their district they represent and that elected them to office
Ways to represent:
Delegate – votes way people would vote
Trustee – votes way they believe
Partisan – votes the way party wants them to vote
Politico – votes the way that will get them elected (combo)

12. Congressional Benefits
Congress sets its own salary:
$174,000: regular members
$193,000: Senate President pro tem and floor leaders
$223,500: Speaker of the House
$227,300: Vice President
Fringe Benefits:
Travel allowances
Government health care
Retirement plans
Offices
Franking privileges
Free printing
Immunity from arrest during their session, except in cases of treason, felony, or breach of peace

13. Kentucky state senator Brandon Smith (R)—claimed immunity
Kentucky state senator Brandon Smith (R)—claimed immunity. Still in senate!

14. Demographics of Congress
Directions
Read through both of the articles below. Then, on another piece of paper answer the questions about the demographics of Congress compared to the U.S. demographics.
Discussion Questions 
Identify at least 4 characteristics of a typical representative in the 115th Congress based on the article.
List 3 groups of people who might have reason to question whether or not Congress adequately represents their interests. Explain each.
Identify and explain several differences between the make-up of Congress and the general public.
Do you believe the current make up of Congress is a positive or negative aspect of the American government? Explain and defend your answer.