 Why we have a bicameral Legislature?  Historical  Practical  Theoretical  A term of Congress is two years and is numbered consecutively  20 th Amendment changed start date to 3 rd day of January every odd year  A session of Congress is the period of time during each year where congress assembles and conducts business  Congress works most of the year, but can adjourn with approval of both houses  Prorogue-President can adjourn Congress if they do not agree, never happened  President can call special sessions in times of emergency

 Represent the People by casting votes  Trustee-Decide on the merits  Delegate-Agent of the people  Partisan-Party line  Politico-Combine elements and balance all of the above  Serve on Committee’s  Serve their Constituents

Partisan Composition House-241 R and 198 D Senate-47 R, 51 D, 2 Ind. Gender House-362 M, 76 F Senate-83 M, 17 F Ethnicity House-361 C, 44 A.A., 25 Hispanic, 7 Asian, 1 American Indian Senate-96 C, 2 Asian, 2 Hispanic Average Age House-56.7 Senate-62.2 Professions *Nearly all have a college education *Career Politicians *Business *Law Length of Service House-9.8 Years (4.9 Terms) Senate-11.4 Years (1.9 Terms) Religion 57% Protestant 29% Catholic 7% Jewish *Greek orthodox, LDS, Quaker and Unitarian * 3 Buddhists and 2 Muslim (all in the House)

 Salary  $174,000  Speaker-$223,500  Senate Pro Temp and Leaders-$193,400  Tax deductions for 2 residences  Travel allowances  Health benefits and Life Insurance  Pension plan  Staff in DC and State  Franking Privilege  Freedom of Debate

 Strict Constructionist  Follow the Constitution, expressed powers only, implied powers used rarely to uphold the expressed powers  States should keep powers  Liberal Constructionist  Broad interpretation of powers given to Congress

 Amendment Process  Electoral Duties  Fill vacancies  Break a tie  Impeachment  Johnson, Clinton, Nixon  Executive  Confirm nominees and treaties  Investigatory