1. The U.S. Congress

2. The United States Congress is composed 535 elected representatives who travel to Washington D.C. to meet in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives where they make laws and address the greatest issues facing our nation.

3. The Framer’s Intentions
The Framers, or the writers, of the United States Constitution wanted the members of the House of Representatives to be well known by the people in their congressional district and also be focused on working to meet the needs of and solve the problems faced by their districts constituents.
Term
Representatives were given a term of office of only two years so that the people had numerous chances to judge their performance.
Congressional Districts
Representatives only represent a congressional district which allows them to be focused on meeting the needs and wants of a smaller group of constituents.

4. The United States Senate
100 elected representatives in the United States Senate
Each of the 50 states receive 2 senators
Each representative is elected to serve a six year term and can be reelected as many times as they chose to run.
Senators are placed into one of three classes upon being elected.
One class of senators comes up for reelection every 2 years so that only about a third of the senators can be replaced in any given election.

5. The Framer’s Intentions
The Framers, or the writers, of the United States Constitution wanted the members of the United States Senate to act as a check on democracy and add a level of stability to the federal government.
Term
Senators were given a term of 6 years, 2 years longer than a presidential term, in order relieve them of the constant worry of trying to get reelected.
Elections
Originally Senators were chosen by the state legislature, but a constitutional amendment changed this to a popular election
Constituents
Senators represent the entire state and not simply a small group of constituents.

6. Qualifications of Senators
Must live in state
Must be at least 30
Needs to be a citizen for at least 9 years

7. President of the Senate
Majority Party
Minority Party
51 Democratic Senators
47 Republican Senators
President pro Tempore
(D)
President for the time
2 Independents
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn)
Sen. Carl Levin (VT)
President of the Senate
Joe Biden (D)
Votes in case of tie otherwise has little influence

8. The Speaker of the House
The Speaker of the House is the most powerful leader in the House of Representatives and is almost always a highly experienced member of the majority party.
The Speaker is allowed to set the agenda of the House, and can by an large decide what pieces of legislation will be debated on the House floor and how it will be debated.
The Powers of Persuasion
The Speaker often relies on talking to members of the House, doing favors, and getting favors in return.
“The world is full of little things you can do for people.”
Former Speaker of the House
Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill

9. 241 Republican Representatives
Majority Party
Minority Party
241 Republican Representatives
193 Democratic Senators
The members of the House “shall choose their speaker and other officers.”
The entire membership of the U.S. House of Representatives must approve choice.
Party Caucus
Chooses
Candidate

10. Qualifications for House
Must be at least 25
Must live in District that you represent
Must be a citizen for at least 7 years

11. Wisconsin District 3 Representative Ron Kind
Mark Pocan

12. The Floor Leaders
The most powerful members of the House of Representatives and Senate, beyond the Speaker of the House, would be the party leaders or floor leaders and the “Whips” who assist them.
Mitch McConnell
Senate Whip
Jon Kyl
Harry Reid
Senate Whip
Richard Durbin
Eric Cantor
House Whip
Kevin McCarthy
Nancy Pelosi
House Whip
Steny Hoyer
Senate and House leaders speak for their parties on issues, and use their “Whips” to push bills along, and try and sway votes by gather opinions of party members and pushing members to vote a certain way.

13. Jobs in Congress
Speaker of the House: Presiding officer of the H of R.
President Pro Tempore: Presides over the Senate when VP is absent
Majority Party: Party with more members
Minority Party: Party with fewer members

14. Jobs in Congress
Floor Leaders: Chief officers in each party. Responsible for guiding bills through congress.
Whips: Assist floor leaders