1. The Structure of Congress Libertyville High School

2. Requirements to Serve House “No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.” (Constitution 1, ii) 25 years or older 7 years citizen of US Resident of state when elected

3. Requirements to Serve Senate “No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.” (Constitution, 1, iii) 30 years or older 9 years citizen Resident of state when elected

4. Number of House, Senate Members House members? 435 members + 6 non voting members (1 each from Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Northern Marianas, DC, US Virgin Islands, Guam Illinois members Senate members? 100 members Illinois members Richard Durbin (D) Mark Kirk (R)

5. Comparing the Chambers House of Representatives Chamber of Majority Power Formal Leadership = Speaker of the House Actual leadership = Speaker of the House Majority Party Power Strong! Party Discipline Strong! Individual Member’s power weak Committees strong Rules Committee? Yes Special Constitutional Powers: impeach president; revenue bills US Senate Chamber of Minority Rights Formal Leadership = President pro tempore Actual leadership = Majority Leader Majority Party Power Weak! Party Discipline Weak Individual member’s power strong! Committees Strong! Rules Committee? No Special Constitutional Powers: try impeachments; a&c appointments; ratify treaties