1. United States Congress The Legislative Branch

2. Foundations of the US Congress Constitutional Convention (1787) Virginia Plan: representation in Congress should be based on the state’s population and wealth New Jersey Plan: representation in Congress should be equal for all states

3. Organization and Size The Connecticut Compromise U.S. Congress (535 Members) House of Representatives (435 Members) Senate (100 Members) Based on State Population 2 Senators per State New Jersey Plan Virginia Plan Upper Lower Bicameral Originally Elected by the State Legislatures The People’s House

4. The Legislative Branch Article I of the US Constitution Law Making Branch of Government

5. Article 1 Section 1 “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives ” Law Making

6. Terms of Congress 20 th Amendment (1933): Section 2: “The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.” (odd numbered year: Example: 2011-2013) Each term for Congress lasts 2 years (election every 2 years) NO TERM LIMITS Midterm or “Off year election”: Congress is elected but not the President Current Congress 113 th (2013-2015) President may call a special session of Congress during an emergency if Congress is not in session

7. U.S. House of Representatives

8. U.S. Senate

9. Senate House

10. Senate

11. Saxby Chambliss (GA-R) Johnny Isakson (GA-R) U.S. Senators from Georgia

12. Comparing the House and Senate The US House of Representatives The US Senate 435 Members (Based on Population) 100 Members (Two Senators per state) Represents the people and districtRepresents the entire state Qualifications 1.25 years of age or older 2.US citizen for 7 years 3.Resident of the State and District Qualifications 1.30 years of age or older 2.US citizen for 9 years 3.Resident of the State Serves 2 year termServes 6 year term No term limits Representatives have always been elected by the People Before the 17 th Amendment, US Senators were elected by the state legislatures