1. Chapter 6.3 Representing the People

2. Requirements and Benefits of Congress Both senators and members of the House must live in the state they represent. House members usually live in their districts, but are not required to do so. Senators must be at least 30 years old; House members, 25. Senators must have been citizens for at least nine years; House members, seven years. Most members of Congress have college degrees. Nearly half are lawyers.

3. continued Members receive a salary of $150,000, free office space and trips to their home states. They have the franking privilege – they may send job-related mail for free. The Constitution grants senators and representatives immunity, or legal protection, in some situations. They may not break the law, though.

4. Congressional Staff: Behind-the-Scenes Helpers The personal staff run the offices. They gather information on issues, arrange meetings and write speeches. They handle requests from voters. They deal with reporters and lobbyists – people hired by private groups to influence gov’t decision makers. The staff works for the member’s reelection on their own time.

5. continued Members of Congress hire students from their home states or districts to serve as interns and pages. Interns help with research and office duties. Pages deliver messages and run errands. Committee staffs generally have expert knowledge about special topics, such as taxes or defense. They draft bills, gather information, organize committee hearings and negotiate with lobbyists.

6. continue The Library of Congress provides information for members of Congress and their staffs. The Library’s Congressional Research Service looks up facts and spells out arguments for and against bills.

7. continue The General Accounting Office reviews spending activities of federal agencies, studies programs and recommends ways to spend taxpayers’ dollars wisely. The Congressional Budget Office provides information and analyses to help Congress create a budget. It estimates costs and economic effects of programs.

8. Members of Congress at Work Congressional sessions begin each January 3. In representing the people who elected them, members of Congress carry out three major jobs. Congress members make laws. They introduce bills, work on committees, listen to input for and against bills, and then vote.

9. continued Congress members do casework – they troubleshoot for people from their home district or state who request help in dealing with the federal gov’t. Congress members protect the interests of their state or district. For example, a senator from a state with strong timber industries might seek to influence logging policies.

10. continued Members also work to gain a share of national gov’t spending for their constituents. A gov’t contract can bring a lot of money to local businesses and jobs for local people. Gov’t projects and grants that primarily benefit the home district or state are called pork-barrel projects.