1. GET TO KNOW YOUR CONGRESS

3. Complete the chart in your notes Senate House of Representatives 6 year term; one third elected every 2 years LENGTH OF TERM/WHEN ELECTED 2 year term; Entire house is elected every 2 years. 30 YEARS OLDREQUIRED AGE25 YEARS OLD U.S. CITIZEN FOR AT LEAST 9 YEARS CITIZENSHIPU.S. CITIZEN FOR AT LEAST 7 YEARS RESIDENT OF THE STATE WHERE ELECTED LEGAL RESIDENCERESIDENT OF THE STATE WHERE ELECTED 100 MEMBERSTOTAL MEMBERS435 MEMBERS EACH STATE IS REPRESENTED BY TWO SENATORS HOW EACH IS ELECTED INTO OFFICE ELECTED ON THE BASIS OF POPULATION VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WHO PRESIDES OVER EACH THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE $174,000*SALARY$174,000*

4. Apportionment for the House of Representatives The Constitution requires that all Americans be counted every ten years by a census to determine the population of each state. The census determines the representation in the House of Representatives.

5. Apportionment in the Senate Each state has 2 senators that represent them in Congress, giving us a total of 100 senators.

6. Powers of Congress Lawmaking Taxation Spend Money Regulate Commerce Create Courts Declare War

7. Main duty of Congress The most important constitutional power of Congress is the power to make laws for the nation. In order to become a law, a bill must be passed by both the House and the Senate.

8. Sessions of Congress Begins the first week of January Usually lasts from January until August or September Exception= if there is a need to call a special session, then both or one of the houses meet. The President calls a Special Session.

9. Benefits Benefits include: –Free trips to their home state –Office in Washington and their home state –Free use of postal service

10. Congressional Committees Standing Committee: permanent committee responsible for specific areas of business. Joint Committee: made up of equal number of representatives & senators. Conference committee: special joint committees that resolve differences between both houses. Select committees: temporary committees designed for a specific purpose. Subcommittees: each standing committee is divided into subcommittees that handle specific issues.

11. District #1 Jeff Fortenberry (R)

12. District #2 Lee Terry (R)

13. District #3 Adrian Smith (R)

14. Senators for Nebraska Mike Johanns (R)Deb Fischer (R)

15. Congressional Leadership Speaker of the House- John Boehner President Pro Tempore- Patrick Leahy