How Congress is Organized Congress is a bicameral legislature as a result of the Great Compromise.
The House of Representatives Three qualifications: 1. Must be at least 25 years old 2. Must be a US citizen for at least 7 years 3. Must live in the represented state Most are successful lawyers or businessmen and had experience in government
Elected for 2 year terms (all begin and end at the same time) Recent elections- 70 to 80% of current Representatives are reelected No term limit (Congress is considering term limits) 435 (fixed) representatives in Congress
Constitution guarantees at least 1 representative from each state Number from each state based on the state’s population Census Bureau studies population changes in the states every 10 years to see if adjustments need to be made States are divided into Congressional Districts, 1 representative per district
Gerrymandering- the division of a state into odd shaped districts for political reasons (if all the representatives are republican, dividing to favor the republican vote over the democratic) Louisiana has 6 representatives in Congress
Senate Qualifications: 1. Must be at least 30 years old 2. Must be a US citizen for at least 9 years 3. Resident of the represented state Serve 6 year terms (do not all begin at the same time- 1/3 of senators run for reelection every 2 years)
No term limit (Congress considering setting a two term limit) Two senators representing the entire state 100 Senators in Congress
Salary, Benefits, and Privileges of Congress Salary $174,000 per year (leaders: $193,400; Speaker of the House: $223,500) Free office space, parking, and trips to the home state Budgets to pay for assistants, office staff, and supplies Discounts on many services (medical care, video production, etc.)
Franking privilege- sending of job related mail without postage Granted immunity while on the job and traveling to and from their home unless the crime is very serious Can not be sued for anything they say or write while performing their job May face expulsion or censure for wrongdoing
Congressional Sessions Congress is given a number to identify the two year term of the House- 113th Congress (First Session) Sessions begin on January 3 and continue through the year Special Sessions- called by the President to deal with pressing problems Joint Sessions- meeting of both houses together- little work accomplished, mostly ceremonial (State of the Union Address)