2. Congress

3. Senator Mike Rounds

4. Senator John Thune

5. Representative Kristi Noem

6. Ours is a Bicameral Congress The House represents the People The Senate represents the State

7. Term + Session + Special Sessions A Congressional Term is two years The 112th Congress Term began in January 5th 2011 and ended January 3 rd, 2012. Each Congress has two sessions of one year each. The last session of the 111 th Congress ran from Jan. 5 th 2010 to Dec. 29 th 2010 Congressional sessions used to last 6 to 8 months. Why do you think it has changed?

8. Special Sessions Presidents may call Congress to meet in special sessions. A famous special session was held December 8 th, 1941. Special Sessions are rare today.

9. The House 435 Members (based on population) Elected from single member districts Districts average 650,000 people South Dakota has 1 Districts of 789,919 A states number of districts are based on it’s size in each decennial (10 years) census.

10. Apportionment & Reapportionment The drawing of state Congressional district lines is known as apportionment. Gerrymandering is drawing district lines to benefit a political party.

11. Constitutional Requirements for the House of Representatives (2 yr term) 25 years old or older Citizen for seven or more years Resident of the State electing you Traditionally, a resident of your district

12. Constitutional Requirements for the Senate (6 year term) 30 years old or older Citizen for nine or more years Resident of the State electing you Traditionally, a resident of the state, unless named Hillary (NY, DC)

13. The Senate 100 Members 2 Senators per state Direct Election since the passage of the 17 th Amendment to the Constitution Originally chosen indirectly by state legislatures.

14. Special Powers of Congress The House: -All money bills must begin in the House -All impeachments begin in the House -Most House votes require only a simple majority. The Senate: - Approves all presidential appointments. - By a 2/3’s vote:Approves all treaties and serves as the court in impeachments.

15. Congress the Job 1.Legislator 2.Committee Member 3.Representative of their constituents 4.Servant of their constituents 5. Politician

16. Salary - $133,600 Allowances: Staff Travel Office Mail Pay and Allowances

17. The Average CongressMAN Male Age 50+ Married Two Kids College Grad Attorney Church Goer Prior Political Experience Wealthy

18. Congress and the Electoral College The members of both Houses combined is directly proportional to the electoral college.

19. Example

20. 2008 Election

21. 2000 Election