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Chapter 10 Congress
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The National Legislature
Section 1 The National Legislature Objectives How is the lawmaking function central to democracy
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Major Function To make laws
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Bicameralism Legislature made of 2 houses Each state represented equally in the senate Each state represented in house by population
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Terms Each term of Congress lasts 2 years Numbered consecutively (108th) Each term starts Jan. 3, at noon following the congressional elections
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Sessions 2 sessions to each term 1 each year Adjourned when congress sees fit, in session most of the year Neither house may adjourn w/o the consent of the other
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Special Sessions Called by the President to deal with pressing issues Last special session was in 1948
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House of Representatives
Section 2 House of Representatives Representative John Shimkus
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Size 435 members, set by Congress Seats apportioned among the states on basis of population Each state guaranteed at least 1 seat in the House, regardless of population
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American territories each send a delegate to represent them, but are not members of the House
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Terms 2 years No limit on number of terms they can serve
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Reapportionment Redistribution of seats following the census At first House had 65 seats, grew to 435 by 1920
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1929 Congress set number of seats at 435 permanently
Census Bureau determines how many seats each state has Each seat in the House today represents about 620,000 people
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Elections Congressional elections held on same day in every state Party in power typically looses seats in off-year elections
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Members elected either by:
Single-member districts (one representative per district) At-large (from state as a whole)
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States responsible for drawing of congressional districts provided that district is:
Contiguous Compact Equal in population
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Historically most states have been divided on rural vs
Historically most states have been divided on rural vs. urban basis, rural being over-represented Supreme Court decisions ended this practice
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Westbury vs. Sanders Population differences unconstitutional Reynolds vs. Sims One person, one vote All congressional districts should be equal
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Qualifications Members of House must be; 25 years old Citizen of U.S. for 7 years Inhabitant of state elected to
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House judges election returns and qualifications of members
May punish members for disorderly behavior May expel members with 2/3 vote
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Section 3 The Senate Roland Burris Dick Durbin
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Election 2 senators from each state Originally chosen by state legislatures 17th Amendment (1913) called for direct election of senators by the voters
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Terms 6 year terms, no term limits Staggered – 1/3 elected each congressional election Called a continuous body, because all seats never up for reelection at one time
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6 year term intended to make senators less subject to public pressure
Senators are supposed to focus on national interests Senators are seen as more powerful than House members
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Qualifications 30 years old Citizen for 9 years Inhabitant of state elected to Senate may judge qualifications and exclude a member-elect
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May punish members for disorderly conduct
May expel members by 2/3 vote
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Major Differences House Senate
435 members 2 year term Elected from districts 25 years old to qualify Less prestige 100 members 6 year term Elected from entire state 30 years old to qualify More prestige
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Section 4 Members
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Backgrounds Not an accurate cross-section of Americans
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Most members of Congress are:
White Male Married Protestant Upper-middle class College grads Born in the state they represent Have considerable political experience
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Duties of the Job Legislator Makes laws Committee member Screens bills Oversees executive branch enforcement of laws
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Constituent Representative
Votes as constituents want Constituent Servant Does favors for citizens
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Politician Keeps in touch with party leaders and constituents back home
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Voting Options Trustee Looks at merit of bill; Votes based on judgment and conscience Delegate Votes based on how the people back home would vote
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Partisan Votes with loyalty toward party Politico Balances several factors
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Compensation Salary As of Jan. 2002, each member of Congress gets a base pay of $150,000 Leadership positions get extra compensation
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Non-salary (fringe benefits)
Tax deduction to help keep 2 houses Travel allowance Life and health insurance Generous pension
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Medical care at military hospital
Allowances for staff Franking privilege Free parking Restaurant, health club
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Privileges Congressional immunity Cannot be arrested while attending Congress, unless for treason, felony, or breach of the peace Protects them from arrest for non-criminal offenses
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Speech and Debate Clause
Protects members from being sued for what they say during Congressional business Protects freedom of legislative debate
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