1. The Legislative Branch: the 2 Houses (or Chambers) of Congress
The House of Representatives
vs.
The Senate

2. House of Representatives
Senate
House of Representatives
100 members total
Each state sends 2 representatives
CA sends 2
Rhode Island sends 2
435 members total
Each state sends a number of representatives based on their population
For Example: California’s population is around 37 million (37,000,000) people
CA has 53 representatives in the house
Rhode Island’s population is around 1 million (1,000,000)
Rhode Island has 2 representatives in the House

3. Apportionment in the House
How Population Decides
Reapportionment
Since 1913, the total number of seats in the House is set at 435
Each Rep represents approximately 700,000 constituents
Drastic rises or drops in population totals can cause a state to gain or lose a seat in the House
A rise in population means that a state gets to add a new seat in the House
Generally the seat comes from a state whose population declined
Gerrymandering can occur
A fall in population means that a state loses a seat in the House
Opposite of the previous occurs when a seat is lost

4. 114th Congressional Districts by Party

5. Population
Voting Trend

6. California’s Congressional Districts
Do you see an example’s of gerrymandering?

7. House of Representatives
Requirements for
membership in the
House of Representatives
Requirements for
membership in the
Senate
30 years of Age
A citizen of the United States for at least 9 years
A legal citizen of the State they represent
Term of Office = 6 years
25 years of age
A citizen of the United States for at least 7 years
A legal resident of the state you are representing
Term of Office = 2 years

8. A closer look into the House of Representatives

9. House of Representatives
The main task of the House is “to make laws”
Most of the work of the House is done in smaller Committees
Gun control
health
care
Taxes
immigration

10. The Speaker of the House
Most powerful member of the House
Chosen from the majority party
Voted on by the entire House
Presides of House meetings
Is next in line for the Presidency if the V.P. is unable to step up.
Current Speaker of the House, John Boehner

11. Making Laws All laws start as bills
A proposed law is called a bill until both the House and the Senate have passed it and the President has signed it.
After a bill is introduced, the Speaker of the House sends it to the appropriate committee for study, discussion and review.
Only 10-20% of all bills make it to a full House vote.

12. Or… there’s another way…

14. House of Representatives: Check
What is the main task of the House of Representatives?
To keep the peace
To make laws
To interpret the Constitution
To enforce the laws
Where is most of the work of the House done?
In meetings
In session
In committee
In one-on-one meetings

15. A closer look at the Senate

16. The President of the Senate
The Vice President presides over the Senate
If he is unable to be there then the Senate elects someone from the majority party to be the president pro tempore (or president pro tem) “for the time being”
Basically he’s a substitute
He can vote only if there is a tie.
Vice President Joe Biden

17. The Senate law making process
There are less rules, fewer committees
2 Calendars (or agendas)
The Calendar of General Orders
A list of all the bills they will consider
The Executive Calendar
Schedule for the discussion on treaties and nominations

18. The Senate brings bills to the floor by unanimous consent
The Senate brings bills to the floor by unanimous consent - A motion by all members present to set aside formal rules and consider a bill from the calendar
The Filibuster
Endless debate, no vote
Can be stopped by a 3/5th vote for “cloture”
Cloture is a procedure that allows each senator to speak only 1 hour on a bill under debate.

21. Influencing Congress Who influences Congress most?
Voters expect their representatives to support their goals and aims while in office.
How do congressmen/women know what the voters want?
What do you think?

22. Influencing Congress

23. Influencing Congress How congressmen/women know what the voters want:
Visits to the district or state
They make dozens of trips home every year
Messages from home
s, letters, postcards, telephone calls, faxes, Etc.
Surveys and polls
Questionnaires mailed to constituents, polls on website, professional pollsters
Key supporters
Those supporters who work on the campaigns, contribute money, etc.

24. The Influence of Parties
Party Voting
70% of the time Congressmen/women will vote with their party (Democrat or Republican) on the big issues
“Big issues” examples: economy, farm issues, social- welfare, tax laws

25. Other Influences on Congress
The influence of the President
The president puts pressure on Congress to pass laws that he and his party support
The influence of Interest Groups
Lobbyists: the representatives of special interest groups that want very specific laws passed to support their causes
Examples: business organizations, labor unions, doctors, lawyers, education groups, minority groups, environmental organizations, etc.