1. The Senate and the House of Representatives
7th Grade Civics
Miss Smith
*pgs Civics in Practice

2. Two Houses of Congress
The Constitution states that the Congress (or Legislative Branch) should be made up of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives
Congress was split so that both large and small states would be fairly represented
This is called a bicameral legislature
House of Representatives: Members based on each state’s population
Senate: 2 per state for ALL states

3. The House of Representatives
Each state is entitled to at least one representative
Washington D.C. and the US territories each have one non-voting delegate
There are 435 members in the House
1 member per 300,000 people in each state
This may change every 10 years when the Census is taken to determine population

4. The House of Representatives
Voters choose members from their congressional districts only (not the entire state)
There are as many districts as there are members in the House
District boarders are generally chosen based on political party, politicians, or groups of people
Elections are held every even-numbered year in Nov.
All members of the House are elected for two-year terms

5. The Senate There are 100 members of the Senate
Senators get elected for six-year terms
Elections are held every even- numbered year in Nov.

6. Congress
Members of Congress have no limits placed on the number of terms they can serve
If a member of the House dies or resigns, a special election is held to replace them
If a member of the Senate dies or resigns, the governor can replace them until the next election (in most states)

7. Members of Congress
There are certain requirements to become a member of Congress
Including agreeing to a code of conduct
Members of Congress also get a salary and benefits

8. Qualifications of members
House of Representatives:
Be at least 25yrs old
Have been a citizen of the US for at least seven years
Be a legal resident of the state you represent
Senate:
Be at least 30 years old
Have been a citizen of the US for at least nine years

9. Salary and Benefits Each member of Congress gets: $165,200 per year
An office in the Capitol Building
An allowance to pay staff members
Free trips back to their home state
An allowance for home/district offices
A stationery allowance
Franking privilege- the right to mail official letters or packages for free
Immunity

10. Rules of Conduct
Members of Congress can request an investigation of another member’s qualifications
This can result in a member’s seat in Congress being denied
Codes of Conduct include:
Limit on outside income earned
Full disclosure of financial holdings is required
Punishment for breaking codes include:
Being disciplined by Congress
Being expelled from office
Censure- formal disapproval of the actions of a Congress Member