1. Chapter 6, Section 1 How Congress Is Organized

2. Main Idea In Congress, members of each party select their own leaders and work mainly in committees to carry out their duties. In Congress, members of each party select their own leaders and work mainly in committees to carry out their duties.

3. I. Terms of Congress (178) A. The framers of our Constitution intended on the legislative branch to be the most powerful. A. The framers of our Constitution intended on the legislative branch to be the most powerful. B. Each term starts January 3 rd of odd- numbered years. Each term lasts two sessions. B. Each term starts January 3 rd of odd- numbered years. Each term lasts two sessions. (Currently 111 th Congress-1st session) (Currently 111 th Congress-1st session) C. Congress holds special sessions at times of crisis. C. Congress holds special sessions at times of crisis.

4. D. A joint session occurs when both houses meet together. ***Each new term of Congress is given a number to identify its two-year term. For example, the first Congress met in 1789, and the 107 th Congress began meeting in 2001.*** *** 111 th Congress- began Jan. 2009 *** 111 th Congress- began Jan. 2009

5. II. A Bicameral Legislature (139-140) A. The Great Compromise established Congress as a bicameral legislature. A. The Great Compromise established Congress as a bicameral legislature. B. Bicameral- two part legislative body B. Bicameral- two part legislative body C. The House of Representatives has 435 voting members, allotted to the states by their population based on a census. C. The House of Representatives has 435 voting members, allotted to the states by their population based on a census. D. *Census- A population count. D. *Census- A population count.Census-Census- ***Congress adjusts the number of representatives for each state after each new census is taken.***

6. About 2010 CENSUS What Count The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas. What Count The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas. Who Everyone All residents of the United States must be counted. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens. Who Everyone All residents of the United States must be counted. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens. When Every 10 years Every 10 years, and the next census occurs in 2010. Census questionnaires will be mailed or delivered to every household in the United States in March 2010. The questions ask you to provide information that is accurate for your household as of April 1, 2010. When Every 10 years Every 10 years, and the next census occurs in 2010. Census questionnaires will be mailed or delivered to every household in the United States in March 2010. The questions ask you to provide information that is accurate for your household as of April 1, 2010. The Census Bureau must count everyone and submit state population totals to the U.S. President by December 31, 2010. The Census Bureau must count everyone and submit state population totals to the U.S. President by December 31, 2010. The first Census was conducted in 1790 and has been carried out every 10 years since then. The first Census was conducted in 1790 and has been carried out every 10 years since then. Where Everywhere in the U.S. The census counts everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas. Where Everywhere in the U.S. The census counts everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas. People should be counted where they live and sleep most of the year. People should be counted where they live and sleep most of the year. Why The U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 2) mandates a headcount of everyone residing in the United States. The population totals determine each state’s Congressional representation. The numbers also affect funding in your community and help inform decision makers about how your community is changing. More info… Why The U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 2) mandates a headcount of everyone residing in the United States. The population totals determine each state’s Congressional representation. The numbers also affect funding in your community and help inform decision makers about how your community is changing. More info…More infoMore info How The Census Bureau will mail or deliver questionnaires to your house in March 2010. We will mail a second form to households that do not respond to the initial questionnaire. How The Census Bureau will mail or deliver questionnaires to your house in March 2010. We will mail a second form to households that do not respond to the initial questionnaire. Households that still do not respond will be called or visited by a Census worker. (Identify census worker by badge and bag. Some may have a hand-held computer.) Households that still do not respond will be called or visited by a Census worker. (Identify census worker by badge and bag. Some may have a hand-held computer.) Census History http://www.census.gov/2010census/about_2010_census/007621.htmlwww.census.gov/2010census/about_2010_census/007621.html

7. Congressional Apportionment 2003-2013 (Based on 2000 Census results)

8. E. States are divided into districts, with one representative elected from each district. States draw districts to include roughly the same number of constituents. F. Constituent- people represented. G. Some abuse the districts by drawing a gerrymander. H. Gerrymander- oddly shaped voting districts designed to increase voting strength to a particular group.

9. I. * House members focus on the concerns of their districts.I. * House members focus on the concerns of their districts. (Onslow Co. – 3 rd district) I. * House members focus on the concerns of their districts. J. The Senate has 100 members- two from each state. They serve six-year terms.

10. III. Congressional Leaders (180) A. Majority Party- in both houses, the political party with more than half the members belonging to one party. A. Majority Party- in both houses, the political party with more than half the members belonging to one party. B. Minority Party- the party with less than half of the members belonging to a political party. 109 th Congress (2005-07) Senate House of Rep. Rep.55 232 Dem.44 202 Indep.01 01 110 th Congress (2007-09) Senate House of Rep. Rep.49 202 Dem.49 233 Indep. 01 00 Indep.dem. 01 00 111 th Congress (2009-2011) Senate House of Rep. Rep. 41 178 Dem. 56 257 Indep. 01 00 Indep. dem. 01 00 Vacant 01 (Minn) 01 (NY)

11. C. The Speaker of the House is the most powerful leader in the House of Representatives. The Speaker always belongs to the majority party. Nancy Pelosi Nancy Pelosi (California) D. Speaker is in control of floor debates and influences most House business. The Speaker is third in line to become President.

12. E. The leader of the Senate is technically the Vice President. The title is President of the Senate. VP rarely attends and votes only in case of a tie. F. President Pro Tempore- The person who actually acts as the leader of the Senate. This role is filled by the majority party.

13. G. Powerful floor leaders try to make sure laws Congress passes are in the best interest of their own party. H. Party “whips” help by keeping track of where their party members stand on issues and rounding them up for key votes.

14. IV. Committees: Little Legislatures(181-182) A. The detailed work of lawmaking is done in committees. A. The detailed work of lawmaking is done in committees. B. Standing Committee- (list p.181)permanent committees (in both houses) that work from session to session B. Standing Committee- (list p.181)permanent committees (in both houses) that work from session to session ***Divided into subcommittees that deal with specialized tasks!*** ***Divided into subcommittees that deal with specialized tasks!***

15. C. Both houses also have select committees that are created to do a special job for a limited period of time. ***They disband after task is finished!***

16. D. Joint Committees- includes members of both houses. E. Conference Committees- temporary, help the House and Senate iron out detail of proposed laws. (created when the House & Senate have passed two different versions of the same bill) F. Seniority- party leaders make committee assignments based on years of service

17. Mini Quiz!!! 1. “ A two-house legislature”? 2. How many members are there in the House of Representatives? 3. How many in the Senate? 4. Who is in charge of the House of Reps? 5. Who is technically in charge of the Senate but can rarely attend? Who fills that role 99% of the time?