1. The Legislative Branch
Chapter 10

2. Two Houses of Congress
The Constitution creates a bicameral legislature for three reasons:
1. Historical The British Parliament was bicameral
2. Practical Reflects Federalism
3. Theoretical Each house checks the other house

3. Terms of Congress
A term is the length of time that officials serve after an election, as in a two- or six-year term

4. Sessions of Congress
A session is the regular period of time during which Congress conducts business
Adjourns (suspends)each regular session as it sees fit
President has the power to prorogue (adjourn) a session only if both houses cannot agree on a date.
Only President can call Congress into a special session to deal with a pressing issue
There are two sessions in a term of Congress

5. Section 2 Size and terms 435 members - determined by Congress
apportioned among the States on the basis of their populations
No limits on the amount of terms served
Must be 25, have citizenship for at least 7 years and inhabit state representing

6. Reapportionment The Reapportionment Act of 1929
Article I of the Constitution directs Congress to reapportion - redistribute- the seats in the House after each Census
The Reapportionment Act of 1929

7. Current Apportionment

8. Congressional Elections
Tuesday following the first Monday in November each even numbered year
Off-year elections are those congressional elections held between presidential elections

9. Districts and Gerrymandering
single member district arrangement: the voter’s in each district elect one of the state’s representatives
gerrymandering: act of drawing congressional districts to the advantage of the political party that controls the State legislature.
Gerrymandering
Senatorial Districts 2011

10. Section 3 Size, Election, Terms
Two Senators per state 100 Senators total
17th Amendment (1912): Made a popular election of all senators but previously senators were picked by state legislators
6 year term
Continuous body: all its seats are never up for election at the same time only 1/3 at a time
Constituencies are the people and interests senators or elected officials represent

11. Qualifications Set up in the Constitution 1. at least 30 years of age
2. citizen of the US for at least 9 years
3. resident of the State from which he/she is elected
Dianne Feinstein (D) since 1992
Kamala Harris (D) 2017

12. Section 4
Members of Congress
50th District

13. 115th Congress (20)

15. 116th Congress elected Nov 2018 service starts Jan 2019
Senate 100 Members
House of Reps 435 Members

16. Midterm Election 2018 graphic
Graphic of Control 2018 Mid term Election

17. 4 Roles of Representatives of the People
Senators and reps are elected to represent people. As legislators they have 4 voting options:

18. Committee Membership and Public Servants
Both screen proposed laws before they are voted on
oversight function: process in which Congress, thru committees, checks to see that the agencies of the executive branch are working effectively

19. Compensation (2015) and privileges
Salaries as of Jan 2015
Travel expenses to and from state, low cost health insurance, retirement pension, money to run office and staff, and free postage
“cloak of legislative immunity” members of congress are immune from arrest for noncriminal offenses ( misdemeanors) while engaged in congressional business
Article I, Section 6, Clause 1: protects reps and senators from suits for libel and slander arising from their official conduct

20. Comparisons of pensions we will pay for each until their death