1. Legislative Branch

2. Congressional Structure

3. Congress
SENATE HOUSE 100 (2*50) Total people Per state # of Reps for state %Pop 6 Yrs Length of terms 2 Yrs Qualifications 30 Yrs Age 25 Yrs 9 Yrs Citizen of US 7 Yrs State Residency District State Gov. Constituents District Residents

4. Terms and Sessions Congressional Term - 2 yrs Session- 1 Year
Work day: Tuesday - Thursday.
Working time: Noon to 5 – 6 o’clock.
Recess = temporary break for 3 days or more
Special Session= Meeting Outside of regular hours
Joint Session= Both House and Senate Meeting
“State of the Union” Called by president

5. Determining Representatives
Census = Counting the population every 10 years
Reapportion = Redistributing representatives based on new population totals
Redistrict = District lines are redrawn due to population changes and to account for possible addition or subtraction of representative districts
Gerrymander = drawing district lines based on some characteristic other than just population
a) Discriminatory gerrymandering
b) Misrepresentation

6. Congressional Representation
Delegate- votes the way the people (constituents) would vote
Trustee – votes the way they believe, they are the professional
Politico – votes the way that will help them get reelected
Partisan – votes the way the party wants them to vote

7. Congressional Leadership

8. Leadership in the United States Senate
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
The Vice President of the United States
Vice President
Joe Biden
Job: Presiding Officer of the Senate
Breaks tie in legislation. Otherwise does not vote.

9. Leadership in the United States Senate
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
The Vice President of the United States
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
Selected by majority party. Usually most senior member of the Senate majority party
Job: Presides over the Senate when the Vice President is absent.
Orrin Hatch (R-PA)

10. Leadership in the United States Senate
Majority Leader
Job: Leads the majority party and shepherds legislation
Minority Leader
Job: Leads the minority party and leads opposition
                                  
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R)
Sen. Harry Reid (D)

11. Other Senate Positions
Secretary of Senate – Top administrator
Parliamentarian, Chaplain, Sergeant at arms.

12. Georgia’s Representation
Senator Johnny
Isakson
Senator David Purdue
AND

13. Leadership in the House of Representatives
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Selected by the majority party
Job: Presiding Officer of the House
Decides which committee a bill goes to.
Makes Committee Assignments
Paul Ryan (R-WI)
Elected Speaker in 2015

14. Leadership in the House of Representatives
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Selected by the majority party
Majority Leader
Job: Leads the majority party and shepherds legislation
Minority Leader
Job: Leads the minority party and leads opposition
Kevin McCarthy (R-Ca)
Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca)

15. Other Congressional Positions
Secretary of Senate/Clerk of House does administrative duties.
Parliamentarian keeps rule on debate.
Sergeant at Arms keep order.
Chaplain prays before debate.
Official Reporters writes every single word in meeting.
Post Master sees that everything is distributed.

16. Georgia’s Representation
Georgia currently has 14 congressional districts.
McEachern’s current congressional district is the 13th represented by: David Scott (D)

17. Georgia’s Congressional District Map

18. Congressional Rules and Benefits

19. Congressional Rules
Loyalty- do not share congressional secrets with the media
Civility – treat each other with respect
Seniority – the most senior members get choices of assignments and leadership positions
Specialization – become an expert in areas on committees
Reciprocity-support for each others bill

20. Compensation and Benefits
Salary $174,000 per year
The current salary (2011) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is.
Speaker of the House - $223,500, Other Leaders - $193,400
Outside Income allowed
Pension Plan and Retirement Income
Increases as cost of living does. (27th Amendment)
Office, Staff, Computer service
Expense Accounts, Travel expense, Foreign Trips
Franking Privilege – Free Stationary and Postage
TV and radio broadcast
Incumbent - currently in office and running for reelection

21. Privileges and Penalties
Congressional Immunity
Freedom of Expression in Congressional Records
Codes of Ethics
Expel Members with 2/3rd vote.
Censure Members – give a fine or penalty

22. Congressional Powers

23. Congressional Powers Legislative Powers Provide for common defense
Make rules on citizenship
Run Armed Services
Declare War
Run Washington D.C.
Raise Money
Regulate Trade
Duties – taxes on imports
Excises – taxes on particular goods

24. Congressional Powers Spend Money Coin and set standards on money
Post Office
Copy Rights and Patents
Establish Federal Courts
Set number of Supreme Court Justices

25. Congressional Powers Non-Legislative Powers
Approve Presidential Appointments (V.P., Justices, and Cabinet)
Approve Formal Agreements with Foreign Nations (Treaties)
Impeachment (Majority in House)/Convict and Remove Federal Officials (2/3rds in Senate)
Admit New States to the Union

26. Congressional Powers Non-Legislative Powers Amend the Constitution
Counts Electoral Votes (If no majority: -the House will elect the Pres. / the Senate will elect the V.P.
Gov. “Watchdog” – Congressional committees can hold hearings and investigations, call witnesses, and make recommendations.

27. Congress in Your Life… Make the Laws Oversight Inform us of the laws
Constituent services

28. Congress is Important!
For Georgia!
And for you!