1. Why do people create, structure, and change governments?
How Congress Works
Why do people create, structure, and change governments?

2. Qualifications
What are the qualifications for becoming a member of Congress?
Senator: must be at least 30 years old
-live in the state you plan to represent.
-must have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years before being elected.
House of Representatives: have to be at least 25 years old
-live in the state they represent.
-must have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years before being elected.

3. Who runs for Congress? Many are lawyers.
great mix of occupations, though, including farmers, doctors, homemakers, and former members of the armed forces.
There were even a few former entertainers and professional athletes.
In the 112th Congress, senators had an average age of 62
House members an average age of 56.
Fewer than 30 House members and senators in total were younger than 40.

4. Benefits
In 2010, both senators and representatives were paid $174,000 a year.
they receive free office space, parking, and trips to their home states.
franking privilege - Senators and representatives can send job-related mail without paying postage.   
Members of Congress have life and health insurance.
They also have the use of a gymnasium, special restaurants, and a clinic.
senators and representatives have immunity, or legal protection, in certain situations. This allows them to say and do what they believe is right without fear of interference from outsiders. Of course, this protection does not mean that they are free to break the law.

5. Congressional Staffs Serving in Congress is a full-time job.
To get help with their workload, members of Congress hire a staff of clerks, secretaries, and special assistants.
Members of Congress have offices in or near the Capitol in Washington, D.C. & also have one or more offices in their home state.
The members rely on the people on their personal staffs to run these offices.
These workers gather information on new bills and issues.
They deal with news reporters and lobbyists. Lobbyists are people who represent interest groups.
also work to help the member of Congress win reelection. (on their own time)

6. Agencies of Congress
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world. - At least 1 copy of every book published in the United States is kept there.
Government Accountability Office (GAO) looks into financial matters for Congress. $
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) - provides information needed by Congress to develop the government’s budget.

7. Making Laws
members of Congress are often called “lawmakers.”

8. Helping the District or State
pork-barrel project - government project grant that primarily benefits the home district or state
To understand this term, think of a member of Congress dipping into the “pork barrel” (the federal treasury) and pulling out a piece of “fat” (a federal project for his or her district). Critics say that this spending is a waste of taxpayers’ money.