1. The Legislative Branch

3. Made up of Senate (6 years) and House of Representatives (2 years)
The founders intended that the legislative branch have more power than either the executive or the judicial branches since it is in charge of creating laws that reflect the needs of the citizens.
Made up of Senate (6 years) and House of Representatives (2 years)
Each term of Congress starts on Jan. 3 of odd-numbered years and lasts two years. The 115th Congress is in session now (started Jan and will until Jan. 2019)
Read first paragraph.

4. House of Representatives
The House has 435 members.
They are called “representatives,” “congressmen” or “congresswomen”
Qualifications:
25 years old
US citizen for 7 years
Legal resident of state represented
Must live (or maintain a primary residence) in their district
Ted Yoho is the representative for District 3 (which includes Gainesville)

5. House of Representatives
Reapportionment
Census is done every 10 years
If states gain/lose population, they gain or lose representatives
Redistricting
states set up new congressional districts after reapportionment

6. Redistricting Abuses
Gerrymandering – majority party draws district lines to gain an advantage.
Packing – packing opposing party’s voters into one district, so opposition will win, but other districts will be “safe.”
Cracking – dividing up opposing party’s voters into as many districts as possible, to dilute their vote.
Read “Gerrymandering”
Study map on p. 125
Study chart on p. 127
FL-3 is a “majority-minority” district that has been at the center of gerrymandering controversy for years after being redrawn in an effort to give black voters more of a voice.

7. Senate Qualifications Term of Office 30 years old
US citizen for 9 years
Legal resident of state they represent
Term of Office
Six years
A third of senators elected every two years
Our two senators from FL:
Bill Nelson (D)
Marco Rubio (R)
Fewer Senators = more power, more responsibility, more prestige.

8. Senate Privileges
Automatic cost-of-living salary adjustments (salary is $174,000/year)
Franking privileges – free postage for official business
Health care, gym, large allowances to pay for office staff, assistants, trips home, phones, etc.
Income tax deduction to help maintain two residences (one in home state, one in DC)
Free from all arrest, except in cases of treason, felony, and breach of the peace
Cannot be sued for anything they say on the House or Senate floor
Generous retirement plan
Do these privileges seem excessive?
Would you like to have two residences?
Would you like to campaign for office?

9. Read “Reelection to Congress”

10. Read “Reelection to Congress”