1. American Gov’t The Congress – Part II

2. Chamber of the House

3. The “Average” Congressman…
13 were born outside the US’ BORDERS
White
Male
50’s in the House & 60 in the Senate
Married
2 kids
Lots are lawyers (why lawyers?)
Most were born in the state that they represent
Average tenure: 4.9 terms in the House: 1.9 terms in the Senate

4. Characteristics of Congress
Occupation
Other than lawyers, there are a couple of doctors and vets, a handful of “career politicians,” ministers, some businessmen, several educators, and a few with military backgrounds, pro athletes, stay-at-home moms, radio talk show hosts, etc.
Education
95% hold university degrees
27 members have only a high school diploma
21 have a PhD
Average Age
Senate: 62
House: 56

5. Other Characteristics of Congress
Religion
Catholic (29%) or Protestant Variations (44%)
Gender
84% Male (447) & 16% Female (88)
Race
African American: Senate - 0% & House - 10%
Hispanic: Senate: - 2% & House - 6%
Islanders: Senate – 2% & House – 2%
American Indian – Senate – 0%, House – 1 guy
Birth
13 were born outside the US

6. Congressional Party Numbers
Reminder: Party with the most is the “controlling party”
Congressional Party Numbers
HOUSE
Republicans – 242
Democrats – 192
Independents – 0
SENATE
Democrats – 51
Republicans – 47
Independents – 2
434!? What about 435!? 2?

7. 112th Congress by Representative’s District
Republican
Democrat

8. Senate Make-up of 112th Congress
1 Republican
1 Democrat
2 Republicans
1 Independent
1 Democrat
2 Democrats

9. Congressional Compensation
Senate
Leaders: $193,400
Senators: $174,000
House
Speaker: $223,500
Leaders: $193,400
Reps: $174,000
27th Amendment – Congressional Salaries…
Other Stuff They Get: Tax Breaks, Travel, Staff, and Housing Allowances, money to help them pay for staff members, full medical coverage, free mail (franking), pension plan ($150K for life), gym membership, nice restaurants, parking, among other things.

10. Growth of the Congress’ Salary
House and Senate Salaries
House
Senate
Salary
1789 – 1795
$6 per diem
January 1855
$8 per diem
January 1910
$7,500
January 2010
$174,000

11. Leadership in the House
Established by the Constitution
Leadership in the House
Speaker of the House
John Boehner, OH
Minority Leader
Nancy Pelosi, CA
Majority Leader
Eric Cantor, VA
Minority Whip
Majority Whip
Speaker of the House – Most powerful member, leads the majority party, decides what the House works on and when
Floor Leaders – Party Official NOT House Official, keep their party “on-task”
Floor Whips – Helpers of the Leaders, “Assistants” – Party Position, not House position
1st woman to be the Speaker of the House

12. Leadership in the Senate
Established by the Constitution
Joe Biden
Vice President
President Pro Tempore
Daniel Inouye, HI
Majority Leader
Harry Reid, NV
Majority Whip
Minority Leader
Mitch McConnell, KY
Minority Whip
Usually the senior member of the majority party
President Pro-Temp of the Senate presides over the Senate when the VP is not there
Majority and Minority Leaders are the most important – keep their party working together

13. FYI… Test on Tuesday 50 Questions
If you straighten out the average metal coat hanger it would be 44 inches long.

14. The job of the leaders Organize and unify party members
Schedule work for members (this is huge)
Get their party there for important votes
Distribute / Collect information
Keep the House / Senate in-touch with the president
Influence lawmakers to support their party’s platform

15. Job Description Legislators Represent their Constituents
Make & debate potential laws
Represent their Constituents
Constituents: those in their state or district
Major items: Troops in Afghanistan / Health Care
Minor Items too – National Wildflower Week
How do they make decisions?
Conscience Guided
Political Party Guided
Constituent Guided
KNOW THESE

16. Job Description Committee Members Public Servants Politician
All Members are members of congressional committees
Screen Bills and Pass them on after research and debate
Public Servants
If you have an issue they will listen (medal for grandpa, immigration, and everything in between)
Politician
Work with their party to maintain or gain control

17. The Filibuster: Underdog’s Best Friend
The right to unlimited debate in order to prevent a vote
If the minority doesn’t want the bill to pass they will take control of the floor and use a filibuster – (stall tactics)
Not used in the House – only the Senate
Can be stopped by 3/5s votes for “cloture”
Cloture – Each member can only speak for 1 hour
Longest ever – Strom Thurmond: 24 hrs and 18 mins
A group of Senators could go on for weeks or months
Started back in Roman Times
In recent history they have limited debate to 30 hours

18. Strom after his 24+ hour tirade
Historic Filibusters
Last real filibuster was in 1992 – Alfonse D’Amato – 15 hours, 14 minutes
(By the way…He went for more than 23 hours back in 1986)
Huey Long spoke for more than 15 hours too. Read recipes, and other non-sense
Strom after his 24+ hour tirade