1. Unit 5: The Legislative Branch
1. Purpose & Membership

2. Purpose
The purpose of Congress is to make laws for the US that help it achieve the goals listed in the Preamble of the US Constitution. The powers of Congress include:
Making laws
To tax
Borrow money
Regulate trade
Naturalization
Print money
Create a postal service and military
Copyrights and patents
Govern the military and declare war
Anything they need to accomplish these things

3. Membership The United States Congress is a bicameral legislature.
This means what?
What are those two houses?
This also means that Congress is representative of the states in two ways.
So how are states represented in each house?
Who came up with such an idea?
There are currently 535 members of Congress.
So how many people are in each house?

4. Today’s Congress Senate House of Representatives 100 members (2/state)
Majority Republican (54)
President of Senate: Mike Pence
Pres. Pro Tem: Orrin Hatch
435 members (proportional to population)
Majority Republican (245)
Speaker: Paul Ryan

5. Membership
Most members of Congress are lawyers. This only makes sense since Congress is responsible for making laws.
Over time, Congressional membership has become more diverse to reflect the changes in the American population.
104 women, 50 African-Americans, 39 Hispanic American, 15 Asian American/Pacific Islander, and 2 Native American
Average 10+ years service
Average age…60

6. Membership How does one get to be a member of the Senate?
The answer appears in Article ______, section _______ of the US Constitution.
Min. Age: 30
Citizenship: 9 years
Resident of state representing
Elected to office

7. Membership How does one get to be a member of the House?
The answer appears in Article _________, section ________ of the US Constitution.
Min. Age: 25
Citizenship: 7 years
Resident of state representing
Elected to office

8. Purpose
Congress is entirely comprised of representatives from the states.
This is because the writers of the Constitution wanted to create a stronger central government, but also include the states in the legislative process.
This also allows for a representative democracy where the people are represented but still able to participate in politics.

9. Terms
Representatives have two year terms, while Senators have six year terms.
Because Senators have a longer term, they provide the Congress with a sense of continuity. This is especially true since most win re-election.
An official in office seeking re-election is known as an incumbent.
The number of Representatives a state has is decided by the Census, which occurs every ten years.
The people that are represented are known as constituents.
About 90% of Representatives are also re-elected.

10. Terms
Congressional sessions are mandated to start on January 3 by the 20th Amendment.
Most sessions last until November or December.
While Congress only needs to meet once a year, their meetings last most of the year.
Each house of the Congress must ask the other’s permission before adjourning for more than three days.

11. Terms
Congressional salaries are set by Congress. However the 27th Amendment (originally proposed in 1789) prevents a sitting Congress from giving themselves a raise.
On average, members of Congress are paid about $200,000 a year, and receive several tax credits, allowances, and privileges. Retirees can also receive a $150,000 a year pension.
Congress’ last pay raise was in 2009 (does not include cost-of-living increase).