1. Chapter 10
Congress

2. The National Legislature
Section 1
The National Legislature
Objectives
How is the lawmaking function central to democracy

3. Major Function
To make laws

4. Bicameralism
Legislature made of 2 houses
Each state represented equally in the senate
Each state represented in house by population

5. Terms
Each term of Congress lasts 2 years
Numbered consecutively (108th)
Each term starts Jan. 3, at noon following the congressional elections

6. Sessions
2 sessions to each term
1 each year
Adjourned when congress sees fit, in session most of the year
Neither house may adjourn w/o the consent of the other

7. Special Sessions
Called by the President to deal with pressing issues
Last special session was in 1948

8. House of Representatives
Section 2
House of Representatives
Representative John Shimkus

9. Size
435 members, set by Congress
Seats apportioned among the states on basis of population
Each state guaranteed at least 1 seat in the House, regardless of population

10. American territories each send a delegate to represent them, but are not members of the House

11. Terms
2 years
No limit on number of terms they can serve

12. Reapportionment
Redistribution of seats following the census
At first House had 65 seats, grew to 435 by 1920

13. 1929 Congress set number of seats at 435 permanently
Census Bureau determines how many seats each state has
Each seat in the House today represents about 620,000 people

14. Elections
Congressional elections held on same day in every state
Party in power typically looses seats in off-year elections

15. Members elected either by:
Single-member districts (one representative per district)
At-large (from state as a whole)

16. States responsible for drawing of congressional districts provided that district is:
Contiguous
Compact
Equal in population

17. Historically most states have been divided on rural vs
Historically most states have been divided on rural vs. urban basis, rural being over-represented
Supreme Court decisions ended this practice

18. Westbury vs. Sanders
Population differences unconstitutional
Reynolds vs. Sims
One person, one vote
All congressional districts should be equal

19. Qualifications
Members of House must be;
25 years old
Citizen of U.S. for 7 years
Inhabitant of state elected to

20. House judges election returns and qualifications of members
May punish members for disorderly behavior
May expel members with 2/3 vote

21. Section 3
The Senate
Roland Burris
Dick Durbin

22. Election
2 senators from each state
Originally chosen by state legislatures
17th Amendment (1913) called for direct election of senators by the voters

23. Terms
6 year terms, no term limits
Staggered – 1/3 elected each congressional election
Called a continuous body, because all seats never up for reelection at one time

24. 6 year term intended to make senators less subject to public pressure
Senators are supposed to focus on national interests
Senators are seen as more powerful than House members

25. Qualifications
30 years old
Citizen for 9 years
Inhabitant of state elected to
Senate may judge qualifications and exclude a member-elect

26. May punish members for disorderly conduct
May expel members by 2/3 vote

27. Major Differences House Senate
435 members
2 year term
Elected from districts
25 years old to qualify
Less prestige
100 members
6 year term
Elected from entire state
30 years old to qualify
More prestige

28. Section 4
Members

29. Backgrounds
Not an accurate cross-section of Americans

30. Most members of Congress are:
White
Male
Married
Protestant
Upper-middle class
College grads
Born in the state they represent
Have considerable political experience

31. Duties of the Job
Legislator
Makes laws
Committee member
Screens bills
Oversees executive branch enforcement of laws

32. Constituent Representative
Votes as constituents want
Constituent Servant
Does favors for citizens

33. Politician
Keeps in touch with party leaders and constituents back home

34. Voting Options
Trustee
Looks at merit of bill;
Votes based on judgment and conscience
Delegate
Votes based on how the people back home would vote

35. Partisan
Votes with loyalty toward party
Politico
Balances several factors

36. Compensation
Salary
As of Jan. 2002, each member of Congress gets a base pay of $150,000
Leadership positions get extra compensation

37. Non-salary (fringe benefits)
Tax deduction to help keep 2 houses
Travel allowance
Life and health insurance
Generous pension

38. Medical care at military hospital
Allowances for staff
Franking privilege
Free parking
Restaurant, health club

39. Privileges
Congressional immunity
Cannot be arrested while attending Congress, unless for treason, felony, or breach of the peace
Protects them from arrest for non-criminal offenses

40. Speech and Debate Clause
Protects members from being sued for what they say during Congressional business
Protects freedom of legislative debate