1. Legislative Branch Congress Bicameral - two houses
Why do we have a bicameral legislature?
Historically, the framers of the Constitution were familiar with bicameral. Britain had a bicameral legislature (House of Lords, House of Commons)
Practically, it settled the dispute between the large and small states (Connecticut Compromise).
Theoretically, it would allow for checks and balances.

2. Legislative Branch Congress Terms A term of Congress is 2 years.
What is a term?
Time between Congressional elections.
Time during which all members of Congress are the same.
Session
A session is just shorter than a year. It is the time that Congress is conducting business.

3. Congress House of Representatives Members - 435 Based on population.
Each state has at least one.
Elected to 2-year terms
No term limit.

4. Congress House of Representatives Apportionment/Reapportionment
Every 10 years a census is conducted. When the population of each state is known, the number of representatives in each state is reapportioned.
The Reapportionment Act of 1929
Set # of reps. at 435.

5. Congress House of Representatives Elections
Elections held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even years.
Midterm Elections (Off-Year Elections) - elections held in years without a presidential election.
In every midterm, the party of the president loses seats.

6. Congress House of Representatives Districts
Each state is divided into districts (one for each representative)

7. Congress House of Representatives Districts
In the Apportionment Act of 1842, Congress passed a law to govern how districts are divided.
All states have to use the single-member district method.
The districts must be made up of “contiguous territory”.
Each district should have about the same population.
Qualifications
25 years of age
Citizen for 7 years
Inhabitant of the state.

8. Congress Senate Members - 100 Set by Constitution.
Each state has 2 senators.
Elected to 6-year terms
No term limit.
Continuous Body
Qualifications
30 years of age
Citizen for 9 years
Inhabitant of the state.