1. The Legislative Branch Article I of the Constitution

2. Concept 2: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
Topics will include:
Breakdown of the US Congress
Qualifications/ Terms/ Compensation & Privileges of Congress
The Election Process/ The Impact of the 17th Amendment
The Legislative Process (Bill  Law)
Functions of leadership positions and committees
Influence of lobbyists and interest groups

3. The U.S. Congress Bicameral Senate House 100 members 6 years 435
Reapportioned after each census

4. House of Representatives
Term: 2 years
Qualifications
25 years old
7 years as a U.S. citizen
Resident of represented state

5. House of Representatives
There are 435 representatives
Speaker of the House –
Paul Ryan
3rd in line of succession

6. Senate Term of office: 6 years
Every 2 years 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election
Ensures 2/3 have prior experience
Qualifications:
30 years old
9 years a citizen of the U.S.
Resident of the represented state

7. Senate There are 100 senators
Head of the Senate: U.S. Vice President – Mike Pence
2nd in line of succession

8. Compensation & Privileges of Congress members:
Salaries
Vice President (is over the Senate) receives $230,700
Speaker of the House receives $223,500
Majority/ Minority Party Leaders receive $193,400
Base Congressional Members receive $174,000 per year

9. Compensation & Privileges of Congress members:
Allowances
House members can spend more than $900,000 to maintain a staff of 18 permanent positions
$250,000 for office expenses and travel (administrative costs for the office)

10. Compensation & Privileges of Congress members:
Allowances
Senate member get a minimum of $500,000 for three office assistants
The average spent in 2010 was $3.3 million

11. Compensation & Privileges of Congress members:
Office Space
Congress members get a free office at Capitol Hill & free parking
Home district office can be as large as 8,200 square feet in their home district
Can have additional offices throughout the state in federal buildings

12. Compensation & Privileges of Congress members:
Office Space
There is no restriction on the # of offices they can open in federal buildings in their home states
Minimum $40,000 for office furniture

13. Compensation & Privileges of Congress members:
Bonus Tax Deduction
Can deduct up to $3000 for expenses while outside their home district or state
Franking privilege- free postage on all mail to constituents

14. Compensation & Privileges of Congress members:
Insurance/ Retirement
Same life insurance and health/ dental plan as other federal workers
Receive both a pension & 401(k)
Also can receive Social Security
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

15. Compensation & Privileges of Congress members:
Downtime (Plenty of time off)
Congress only works about 3 days per week when in session
They get Presidents’ Day, spring break, Memorial Day break, Independence Day break, summer break, Thanksgiving break, and Christmas break

16. Compensation & Privileges of Congress members:
Immunity or legal protection:
Cannot be sued for anything they say or write while carrying out their duties
Cannot be arrested while Congress is in session unless a felony or treason
May not hold other political office at the same time

17. Who are your Senators?
Johnny Isakson
David Purdue