1. The Legislative Branch How Congress is Organized

2. Bicameral Legislature Conflict at Constitutional Convention Smaller states = equal representation Larger states = population based

3. Bicameral Legislature The Great Compromise Upper House = Senate Lower House = House of Representatives Constitution, Article I: Congress is “the First Branch of this Government”

4. Terms of Congress Government calendar set by law Each Congress lasts for a meeting period, or a term, of 2 years Starts January 3 of odd-numbered years Each “new” Congress given a number to identify its 2 year term ie: first Congress met in 1789, 113 th Congress began Jan. 3, 2013

5. Congressional Sessions Each term divided into two sessions Typical session lasts January – November, typically between 130-190 days.

6. House of Representatives 435 voting members Each state allotted at least 1 representative Allotted according to population Adjusted after each 10-year census Term length of Representatives = 2 years

7. Congressional Districts Each state is divided into one or more congressional district Constituents Gerrymandering Abuse in power of districting Increases voting power of particular group

8. The Senate 100 members 2 per state Represents entire state instead of districts 6 year terms

9. Leaders in Congress Majority Party Minority Party Speaker of the House – guidance of house/leads debates No speaker in Senate, but VP presides and serve as tie-breaker President Pro Tempore – “for the time being”

10. Congressional Committees Standing committees Permanent Committees Both Senate & House Agriculture, Commerce, Veteran’s Affairs Select committees Limited time, until task is completed Intelligence Homeland Joint committees Members of both houses Economics Taxation

11. Committee Assignments Seniority System Preferred committee spots