1. U.S. Congress

2. Capital Buildings Complex

3. U.S. Congress Bicameral (Why?)
Historical: Great Britain’s Parliament had two houses
Practical: The Great Compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan

4. House of Representatives Lower House

5. Size
435 Members
Representation by states is based on the state’s population.
Reapportioned every 10 years based on the census count
In 1999 Ohio had 19 reps, 2001Ohio had 18 reps, 2013: We have 16 reps

7. Years elected The House of Representatives term of office is 2 years.
All 435 Representatives are up for election at the same time.
Why Two Years?

8. Formal Qualification Must be at least 25 years of age
Must be a citizen for a least 7 years.
Must be an inhabitant of the State in which they are elected.

9. Paul Ryan …….. Speaker of the House 2nd in line to the presidency
Most powerful person in Congress

10. Party Breakdown
Democrats: 193
Republicans: 237
Vacant 5

11. Top 3 Occupations before becoming a member of the House
1. Public Service
2. Business
3. Law

12. Average Age
House: 55 years old
Youngest: 30
Oldest; 71

13. Number of Millionaires in the House
123
Current Salary: $174,000

14. Concepts to know with the House Districting
Districting: Drawing districts in states based on the population of the state. Almost all state legislatures draw up the districts.
Redistricting: Districts are redrawn based on a change in the population of a State

15. Concepts to know with the House Districting
Gerrymandering: named after Elbridge Gerry: The legislative process of where the majority party in the state draw the districts to benefit the party.

16. The Supreme Court has limited Gerrymandering
Districts must be apportioned based on equal populations
Districts must be contiguous: drawn with an unbroken line.
Can’t be drawn to dilute minority strength

17. Gerrymandering districts example

18. Cracking and Packing

19. The Senate Upper House

20. Size
100 Members
Each State has two members
New Jesey Plan

21. Years Elected The Senate term of office: six years. Why six?
Only 1/3 are up for election every two years. There can never be a complete turnover of Senators.

22. Party Breakdown
Republicans 47
Democrats 51
Independents 2

23. Top 3 Occupations before becoming a member of the Senate
Lawyers/Judges
Public Service
Business

24. 60 years old Oldest: 87 years old Youngest: 40 years old
Average Age: Senate
60 years old
Oldest: 87 years old
Youngest: 40 years old

25. Oldest man to serve in the Senate
Strom Thurmond
Served when he was 100 years-old

26. Number of Millionaires33
Current Salary: $174,000
27th amendment

27. One of Richest people in Congress
John Kerry
His wife’s name is Teresa Heinz Kerry
Worth $240 million.

28. Others (in Millions) Sen. John McCain $20 wife-$100
Sen. Sherrod Brown $145,000.00

29. Nonsalary Compensation
Special tax deductions
Travel allowances to travel from their district to Wash. D.C.
Funds to hire a staff
Franking privilege

30. Membership Privileges
Cannot be arrested going to and from sessions of Congress for minor crimes.
Cannot be sued for libel or slander while in sessions of Congress.

31. Members of Congress
Five Major Roles

32. Congress most important job is to make the laws that run our country.
1.Legislator
Congress most important job is to make the laws that run our country.

33. 2. Representative of their constituents
All members of Congress are elected to Represent the people (Constituents) in their district or State
They give the people a voice in government

34. 3. Committee Members
All members of Congress are on committees that examine bills in a particular area.

35. 4. Servant of the Constituents
Lawmakers try to help the “people back home”

36. Members of Congress need to be informed on the issues of the day
5.Politicians
Members of Congress need to be informed on the issues of the day
Members of Congress from the first day in office want to be elected to another term.

37. Stuff……. Legislative Branch … Article 1 No term limits!!
# of senators + # of Reps = electoral votes