1. Warm-Up 1. What was your Spring Break Highlight
2. Hypothesis why you think most Americans like their congressperson but don’t like Congress as a whole.

2. The Members of Congress

3. Personal and Political Backgrounds
Median ages, HOR- 56, Senate 56
60% Protestant, 30% Catholic, 6% Jewish
1/3+ of HOR lawyers, ½+ of Senate
Several are millionaries
Ave HOR member is on their 4th term
Many Senators served in the house or were governors

4. T.I.P.S. Why do you think the demographics of Congress look like this?
Would you anticipate that these numbers will shift in the future? Why or why not?

5. Congress Vs. America

6. The Job Members play 5 major roles: Legislate
Represent their constituents
Committee Members
Servants of their constituents
Politicians
TIPS- Rank what you feel are Congressional Members most important jobs in order

7. Representatives of the People
Each member has four voting options:
Trustees believe each questions should be decided based on it’s merits
Delegates see themselves as agents of their constituents
Partisans feel bound to vote with their party & listen to party leadership
Politicos attempt to blend the basic elements of the above
Try to balance what is best the people and politics
TIPS- Which way do you think members of Congress should vote? Why?

8. Compensation As of 2014 $174,000/ year, votes for own pay raises
Only two things can stop: Pres. Veto or voter backlash
Retirement plan up to $150,000/year
Franking privilege, substituting stamp with their signature
Protection from civil arrest
Protection from suits of slander or libel