1. The House of Representatives And The Senate

2. Congressional Sessions  Each term of Congress has two sessions  Sessions last until Congress votes to adjourn

3. The House of Representatives  # of members:  Length of term:  Age  435  Based on states’ population (census)  Serve for 2 years  25 years old

4. House of Reps (cont.)  Residency:  Leader  7 years a U.S. citizen  Live in the state you represent  Speaker of the House (next in line behind VP)

5. The Senate  # of members:  Length of term:  Age:  100 (two for each state)  Serve for 6 years (1/3 elected every two years)  30 years old

6. The Senate (cont.)  Residency:  Leader  9 years a U.S. citizen  Live in the state you represent  Vice President  Also, floor leaders and whips

7. Both  Set their members’ salaries, they receive numerous benefits, allowances for office staffs & business trips, tax breaks for maintaining two residences and pensions when retire  Immune from arrest – if not a felony or treason  Can not be sued for libel when in session  May refuse to seat a member and may censure or expel members

8. A & B Conversation  If you were a politician, would you rather be a member of the House or the Senate? Why?

9. The Members of Congress  ½ are lawyers  Most white, middle-aged males, but increasingly starting to reflect the ethnic, racial and gender of nation.  Incumbent members win reelection to office b/c they’re well known, easier to raise campaign funds, and often represent gerrymandered districts  Starting to use internet as campaign tool

10. How a Bill Becomes a Law  Complete “How a Bill becomes a Law” graphic organizer.”  Define – Bicameral Legislature, Session, Census, redistrict, filibuster, gerrymandering, and incumbent ADD to vocabulary list  Define 27 th Amendment  Define the following types of committees  Standing Committee  Select Committees  Joint Committees  Conference Committees