1. Congress Chapter 10

2. Congress: Goals & Objectives 1.Bicameralism & Apportionment 2.Congress: Representatives, Terms, Sessions 3.Congressional Districts & Gerrymandering 4.Roles of legislators & Constituents 5.27 th amendment

3. Viewpoints about Congress

4. “The First Branch?” Bicameralism: 2 houses: 2 houses: Why did the founding fathers choose bicameralism? Why did the founding fathers choose bicameralism? Bicameralism: a way to lessen the power of government. Explain the process of bicameralism New Jersey Plan, Virginia Plan, Connecticut Compromise New Jersey Plan, Virginia Plan, Connecticut Compromise

5. Terms & Sessions  20 th Amendment: 3 rd day of January of every odd numbered year. Prevents lame duck representatives.Prevents lame duck representatives.  Sessions: 2 Sessions to each term of Congress: 4-5 months per year in Washington D.C. Adjourns: Both chambers must agree to adjournBoth chambers must agree to adjourn Prorogue: President can end a session of CongressProrogue: President can end a session of Congress  Special Sessions: called by the President, emergency situations

6. Size & Terms  House of Representatives:  435 members apportioned by state population  Every state has at least 1 Representative: Article I, section 2, clause 3: A Republican form of government. Reapportionment Act of 1929: Census:Reapportionment Act of 1929: Census:  Established permanent size of the House  435 Congressional Districts: single member districts

7. 7 Districts in Alabama

8. Off-Year Elections:  Non-Presidential election years.  House of Representatives: All 435 are elected every 2 years.  Senate: 1/3 of the 100 Senators are elected every 2 years. Continuous body:Continuous body:

9. Single-Member District  Voters in each district elect one of the State’s House members.  7 States currently possess 1 member in the House of Representatives At-Large electionAt-Large election

10. Gerrymandering Purpose of Gerrymandering: 1. To concentrate the opposition’s voters in one or a few districts 2. To spread the opposition as thinly as possible among several districts 3. Who gerrymanders? 4. Census: Gerrymandering: Politics

11. Gerrymandering Map

12. Gerrymandering 1. Wesberry v Sanders: 1964 1. Equal representation for equal numbers of people. 2. Baker v. Carr: 1962 1. One Person, One Vote Rule 1. State legislatures must apportion according to population so that each person’s vote has roughly equal weight

13. House Qualifications 1.25 years of age 2.Citizen for 7 years 3.Inhabitant of the State elected 1.435 members 2.2 year terms 3.District Rule 4.Strict Rules, limited debate 5.Large Committees 6.No confirmation power

14. Senate Qualifications 1.30 years of age 2.Citizen for 9 years 3.Inhabitant of the State elected 1.Inhabitant? 1.100 senators 2.6 year terms 3.At-large election (17 th amendment) 4.Flexible Rules 5.Unlimited debate 6.Appointment & Confirmation power

15. 5 major roles of Congress 1.Legislators 2.Representatives 3.Committee Members 4.Servants of constituents 5.Politicians

16. The Law Makers 4 Voting Options 1.Trustees: decisions based upon merits 2.Delegate: agents of their constituents 3.Partisans: Party politics 4.Politicos: a balance of the three voting options.

17. Committee Functions 1.Oversight Function: Watchdog function over the executive branch

18. Salary & Compensation Speaker of the House of Rep. $192,600 Floor Leaders $171,900 $158,000 House members Senate Pro Tem $192,600 Vice President $192,600 Floor Leaders $171,900 $158,000

19. 27 th Amendment

20. Non-Salary Compensation 1.Special Tax Deductions NOT available to any other tax payer 2.Travel allowances 3.Free Health & Life Insurance 4.Free Outpatient care & Medical Staff on Capitol Hill 5.Retirement Plan: $150,000 year 6.Free offices and/or allowances for such 7.Funds for Staff & Operation costs 8.Franking Privilege: 9.Free Radio, Newspaper & cheap television 10.Free parking, restaurants, gymnasiums, saunas

21. Fringe Benefits

22. 27 th amendment Congress has the power to give themselves pay raises and fringe benefits Limits: Presidential veto Voter backlash

23. Other Congressional Benefits Free from arrest: Unless: Treason, Felony or Breach of the Peace Article I, section 6, clause 1