1. What’s it like being a member of Congress?
DVD Clip?
What did you think?

2. A typical day? 8:30 AM: Breakfast with former member
9:30: Science Committee Hearing
10:00: Private briefing by NASA officials for afternoon subcommittee hearing
12:00 Photo Opportunity
1:00 Lunch with visiting friend
1:30: Commerce Committee; Subcommittee markup session of pending legislation
2:00 House convenes (meets)
3:00 Meeting with NRA for pending legislation
4:30 Meeting with members from Sierra Club interest group
5:00 Briefing by the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the uninsured (health)
5:30: Reception/fundraiser for the President
6:00: Reception/fundraiser for fellow member from the same state
6:30: Cajun food reception sponsored by Louisiana member
7:00: Wine-tasting reception on behalf of the California Wine Industry

3. BUSY! Can you relate to this?

4. Or this?

5. Party Membership as of 4-5-2011
112th Congress HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: ( ) 435 Total Majority Party Rep: 242 Minority Party Dem: 193 Independent (0) Source:
112th Congress ( )
SENATE:
Majority Party: Democrat 51
Minority Party:  Republican 47
Other Parties:
Independent 1
Independent Democrat 1
Source:

6. U.S. Capitol Building, a.k.a. Capitol Hill, the hill…
Have you been here?

7. 112th Congress TIMELINE Started January 3rd, 2011
Consists of two sessions
This is one of two that is currently in progress
The 112th Congress will end January 2013.
Pay and Benefits:
House Leadership Speaker: $223,500 Majority Leader $193,400 Minority Leader $193,400
Reps. $174,000
Senate Leadership
V.P. $230,700
Majority Leader $193,400 Minority Leader $193,400
Sen. $ 174,000

8. Congressional Leaders
House Majority Leader (R)
John Boehner (OH)
Senate Majority Leader (D)
Harry Reid (NV)

9. Demographics, House of Rep. 109th Congress (These are not current)
From 109th Congress
Average Age: 55
Education: 281 with Masters or higher
Previous Occupations:
Agriculture, Business, Education, Law, Real Estate….
Women in Congress 68
Blacks 42, Latino 24, Asian 4, ….
Roman Catholic 129, Baptist 65, Jewish 26, Mormon 11, Muslim ?
Military Service, 109

10. Demographics, Senate 109th Congress (These are not current)
Average age 60
Education, advanced degrees, Masters or higher, 78
Military Service, 31
Previous occupations:
Agric. 5, Business 30, Education 12, Law 58, Real Estate 3
Women in Congress, 14
Blacks 1, Latino 2, Asisan 2, ….
Religion: Roman Catholic 24, Methodist 12, Baptist 7, Jewish 11, Mormon 5

11. Our leadership from MN Michelle Bachmann District 6 Representative
Elected November, 2006
Al Franken
assumed office July 1st, 2009
Amy Klobuchar
Elected 2006
Preceded by Mark Dayton, now MN governor

12. Michelle Bachmann

13. Presidential Hopeful. Many factual errors when speaking.
How has the press labeled her?
Many factual errors when speaking.

14. Senate
Al Franken
Amy Klobuchar

15. In the news. Recount, then eventually became our Senator.
Finally we are fully represented!
He took office July 1st , 2009.

16. Their role in impeachment?
House
This is where the charges are brought forward
Impeach means “accused” or “formal accusation”
Presidents, Judges, Senators, and Governors have been impeached…
Senate
This is where the trial takes place for the accused.
The judge is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (John Roberts Jr.)
Since 2005
Appointed by George W. Bush, 2003

17. Impeachment Trials
Andrew Johnson
William Jefferson Clinton

18. Impeachment? Who is this? From Illinois?
Former Governor Blagojevich, Impeached and removed from office. Accused and found guilty of trying to gain political favors during the process of choosing a replacement for Senator Obama.

19. What are the powers of Congress ?
Article I, Section 8:
This is an abbreviated list
Make laws
Tax
Borrow $$
Rules for naturalization
Coin $$
Standard of weights and measures
Copyrights and Patents
Army and Navy
Declare War
These are the main powers that are enumerated in Article I.

20. 1. How will you vote? Vote for or against? Why? Things to consider:
Bill: Lockheed, world’s largest defense contractor wants to build a large factory in your district.
Vote for or against? Why?
Things to consider:
What does my political party think?
What do my voters think?
What is best for the country?
How do I feel?
Jobs?
Environmental impact?
Other…..?????

21. 2. How will you vote? Vote for or against? Why? Things to consider:
Bill: Disposal of Nuclear Waste in
Rural portions of District 6.
Vote for or against? Why?
Things to consider:
What does my political party think?
What do my voters think?
What is best for the country?
How do I feel?
Jobs?
Environmental impact?
Other…..?????

22. The issue?

23. 3. How will you vote? For or Against, Why? Things to consider:
Bill: Longer waiting period for handguns requested after a school shooting in your district.
Things to consider:
What does my political party think?
What do my voters think?
What is best for the country?
How do I feel?