1. CH 10, SEC 4 The Members of Congress

2. SENATORS/REPS FROM MISSOURI Can you name your two senators? Your representative? Claire McCaskill (D) and Roy Blunt (R) Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R)  3 rd Congressional District

3. WHAT ROLES AND FUNCTIONS DO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS PERFORM? Typically white male, late 50s Typically married, college degree, born in represented State 1. Job 2. Compensation MEMBERS OF CONGRESS Background

5. 1. THE JOB 5 Major Roles 1. Legislators 2. Representatives of their Constituents 3. Committee members 4. Servants of their Constituents 5. Politicians

6. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE Each Lawmaker has FOUR voting options: DELEGATE  See themselves as the agents of the people who elected them. TRUSTEE  Believe each question should be decided on its merits; Call issues as they see them regardless of majority view. PARTISAN  Allegiance to their political party; Cast votes in line of party. POLITICO  Combine the elements of the delegate, trustee, and partisan roles.

8. COMMITTEE MEMBERS Proposed Laws (Bills) are referred to committees in each chamber. Committee members decide which measures will go on to floor consideration.  Considered and acted upon by full membership of the House or Senate. Congress enacts laws and appropriates the $$$ to implement them. Oversight function  Process by which Congress, through its committees, checks to see that the executive branch agencies are carrying out the policies of Congress.

9. SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE Members of both the House and the Senate act as servants of their constituents. Failing to respond to the requests of their constituents would mean they could lose votes in the next election.

10. 2. COMPENSATION Salary  Both paid $174,000/year  Speaker of the House  $223,500  Vice President  $230,700  Senate’s President Pro Temp and floor leaders  $193,400 Receive “Fringe Benefits”  Special Tax Deductions  ie 2 Homes  Travel allowances  Generous Retirement Plan  Office in D.C. and home state  Funds to hire staff  Franking Privilege  Can send mail for FREE Head of the House of Representatives Head of the Senate