American Government Chapter 10, Congress

Ch10 Congress, Sec 1, The National Legislature The United States has a Bicameral Congress – Historical. The British Parliament has a bicameral legislature and 11 of the 13 colonies also had bicameral legislatures – Practical. The conflict between the Virginia and New Jersey plans. This conflict was really about how states would be represented in Congress. – Theoretical Two houses of Congress would act as a “check-and- balance” of legislation

Ch10 Congress, Sec 1, The National Legislature How Long is a Congressional Term? – Two years and each new term begins on an odd number year on January 3 rd. – The next term of Congress will begin on January 3 rd, 2013.

Ch10 Congress, Sec 1, The National Legislature What is a “session” of Congress? – There is one session of Congress per year and two sessions per term. – In order to end a session, both houses must agree and sessions usually last all year with a summer break (much like high school). – A special session can only be declared by the President. – Today, special sessions are rarely called because Congress is almost always in session.

Ch10 Congress, Sec 2, The House of Representatives Facts about the House of Representatives – 435 members apportioned between the states (In the Constitution, it states that there would be one representative per 35,000 people of each state) – Elected for two-year terms – No term limits (there is no limit to how often they can be reelected). – Each state is guaranteed at least one member in the House. – The “seats” of the House are apportioned by the population of each state. The more people a state has, the more House members it has. – House “seats” are reapportioned every ten years with the census.

Ch10 Congress, Sec 2, The House of Representatives When are Congressional Elections Held? – Congressional elections are always held in November of every even-numbered year on the first “Tuesday after the first Monday in November” – How many Congressional Districts does Michigan have and who is the Representative for Grand Blanc? Michigan’s Representatives - Congressional District Maps (MI) - GovTrack.us Michigan’s Representatives - Congressional District Maps (MI) - GovTrack.us

Ch10 Congress, Sec 2, The House of Representatives – What is Gerrymandering? The drawing of geographical political boundaries that have been created to favor a political party or specific group of people. – What famous Supreme Court Case ended Gerrymandering? Wesberry v. Sanders, The Supreme Court’s ruling in this case declared that political boundaries must have equal population. (one-man, one-vote) It is still very possible to Gerrymander as long as the voting districts are equal in population and race is not used to limit the voice of minority groups.

Ch10 Congress, Sec 2, The House of Representatives Qualifications for House Members – Formal Qualifications Must be at least 25 years of age Must have been a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years Must be an inhabitant (resident) of the state which he or she is elected. – Informal Qualifications Party Identification Name Political Experience Gender, age, race Education Professional Occupation

Ch10 Congress, Sec 3, The Senate Facts about the Senate – 100 Members – Elected for a 6 year term. The terms of the Senators is staggered with only 1/3 rd of the Senate being elected every two years. – There are no term-limits – Each state has exactly 2 Senators – The “Seats” of the Senate are divided equally between the states (The Great or Connecticut Compromise).

Ch10 Congress, Sec 3, The Senate Why is the Senate referred to as a continuous body? – Only 1/3 rd of the Senators are elected every two years and 2/3 rds of the Senators are “seasoned veterans” The Formal Qualifications of the Senate are – At least 30 years of age – A citizen of the United States for at least 9 years – Must be an inhabitant of the state from which he or she is elected.

Ch10 Congress, Sec 3, The Senate Carl Levin - United States Senator for Michigan: Contact Carl Levin - United States Senator for Michigan: Contact Contact Debbie Stabenow | Senator for Michigan Contact Debbie Stabenow | Senator for Michigan

Ch10 Congress, Sec 4, The Members of Congress Who are the 535 members of Congress? – White, men, lawyers. Does this represent our society? Page 279

Ch10 Congress, Sec 4, The Members of Congress The 5 roles of the members of Congress 1.Legislators 2.Representatives of their constituents 3.Committee Members 4.Servants of their Constituents 5.Politicians

Ch10 Congress, Sec 4, The Members of Congress The Fours ways that members of Congress view their job as a representative of the people 1.Trustee—Vote their personal beliefs 2.Delegate—Vote their perceived constituent’s beliefs. 3.Partisan-Vote with their political party 4.Politico—A mixture of the above three views. – How much are they paid? pdf pdf

Ch10 Congress, Sec 4, The Members of Congress Non-Salary Benefits – Tax deductions – Travel allowances – Health Care – Pension of ($150,000 per year for longtime members) – Offices and Staff – Franking Privilege – Respect