1. THE CONGRESS
Membership has its privileges

2. I. Structure of Congress
A. Membership of the House
435 Members must be
25yrs old
7 yr US resident
Live in District
2. Serve 2 Year Terms
3. # of Reps based on 10yr Census
4. State Legislature sets up districts

3. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan of Wisconsin’s 1st Dist
B. Leadership in the House
Speaker of the House
Floor Leaders
Party whips
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan of Wisconsin’s 1st Dist

4. Membership in the Senate
100 Members must be
30 yrs old
9 yr US resident
Live in the State
6 Year terms 1/3rd Elected Every 2 Yrs
The Senate and the House take care of themselves 1st

6. Senate Majority Leader
Leadership in the Senate
Vice President
Pres Pro Temp – Majority Leader
Whips
Senate Majority Leader
Mitch McConnell

7. Both houses can expel members
4. Above the Law??????
Both houses can expel members
Bribery, 11 times
Fraud, 10 times
Corruption, 9 times
Abscam, 7 times
Tax evasion, 3 times
Possession, 3 times
True Crime Stats of Congress
Campaign law , 3 times
Koreagate, 2 times
Extortion, 2 times
Embezzlement, 2 times
Drunk driving, 2 times

8. E. Congressional Sessions
Two Sessions
Sessions last until Congress votes to Adjourn

9. F. Congressional Diversity
Nearly half are lawyers
White Middle Aged Males
Incumbents & Reelection
90’s & 2010 “Turnover”

11. G. Perks and Privileges Permanent professional staffs
Privileges and immunities under the law
Congressional Caucuses: Another source of support
Several agencies have also been set up to assist Congress, such as the Government Accountability Office (formerly the General Accounting Office).
Another Source of Support. The key caucuses are the official caucuses of the two major parties. There are over 200 other caucuses, ranging from important bodies (the Congressional Black Caucus) to the less important (the Potato Caucus).

12. H. Committees Purposes of Committees Divide and Conquer Hierarchy
Public Hearings and the representation function

13. 2. Types of Committees a. Standing – 1
2. Types of Committees a. Standing – 1. Majority Party controls standing 2. Subcommittees – b. Select – c. Joint – d. Conference – e. House Rules Committee

15. 3. Choosing Committee Members a. Key Role of Congress b
3. Choosing Committee Members a. Key Role of Congress b. Membership on certain committees 1. Helps reputation 2. Influence Natl Legislation 3. Influence other members

16. II. Congressional Elections
A. Candidates for Congressional Elections
B. Congressional campaigns and elections
Campaign funding
Effects of Presidential elections
C. The Power of Incumbency
Victorious candidates for the Senate have recently spent an average of $5 million, while successful House candidates have averaged almost a million.
B. One important factor is presidential elections. If a strong presidential candidate is on the ticket, that candidate may have “coattails” that benefit “down ballot” candidates. However, the presidential coattail effect in recent years has been modest or nonexistent.

19. D. Congressional Apportionment
House seats are apportioned among the states every ten years, following the census.
Reapportionment—the allocation of seats in the House of Representatives to each state after each census
Redistricting — The redrawing of the boundaries of the congressional districts within each state

20. 4. Gerrymandering 5. Redistricting after the 2020 Census 6
4. Gerrymandering 5. Redistricting after the 2020 Census 6. Minority-majority districts

21. III. The Functions of the Congress
The lawmaking function
The representation function
The trustee view
The instructed delegate view
Service to constituents
B. Members of Congress also function as representatives of their constituents. Generally there are three roles elected officials can assume when representing their constituents: the trustee and delegate roles, as well as the politico (a combination of trustee and constituent).
The Trustee View of Representation. The elected official attempts to consider the whole of society as opposed to simply being an agent of the constituents.
The Instructed Delegate View of Representation. The elected official is a mere agent for the constituents, doing exactly what a majority of the constituents want on issues.
Constituent service, also called casework, includes assisting constituents in procuring governmental services that were denied to them.
Casework provides a benefit to both constituents and to the representative, who typically gains the grateful constituents' support during reelection.

22. The oversight function: Reviewing actions of the Executive Branch
The Public-Education Function
The Conflict Resolution Function

23. IV. How a Bill Becomes a Law
All appropriations bills must originate in the House.
House of Representatives
Introduction
Committee Stage
Rules Committee
Floor Action

25. Senate at Work
1. Fewer Rules
2. More Informal
3. V.P. < Speaker
Senate Majority Leader
Whips –
No Rules Committee
Two Calendars
Cal of General Orders
Executive Calendar

26. 8. FILIBUSTER –
9. Majority Party controls the flow

27. V. Support Agencies Library of Congress Congressional Budget Office
General Accounting Office
Government Printing Office

28. Questions for Critical Thinking
Why did the framers of the Constitution create a bicameral legislature? Was part of the reason for a two-house legislature the idea that it would be more difficult to pass legislation, therefore, a check on a runaway legislature? What impact does this have today? Is it easy for Congress to agree on legislation?

29. Questions for Critical Thinking
Do different rules for each chamber, like the filibuster in the Senate, help to balance power in the two Houses?
Although the problems have changed since 1789, have the basic ideas of representation changed? If so, in what ways?