Why bicameralism? Connecticut Compromise Smaller states wanted equal representation, as had been the case under the Articles of Confederation (New Jersey Plan) Larger states wanted representation based on population – more people, more reps. (Virginia Plan) The Compromise was one of each Senate = equal representation of states Wyoming has 2 Senators, California has 2 House = representation based on population Wyoming has 1 Rep., California has 53

 The founders feared tyranny of government, but they also feared mob rule  The Senate was originally elected by state legislatures, to represent the states and not the people (popular election: 17 th Am., 1913)  The House was popularly elected  Both Houses have to pass the same bill in order for it to become law

 The Senate was supposed to be more “deliberative” and the House more responsive to public opinion  Senate: Six-year terms  Staggered terms mean that a popular uprising couldn’t throw out the entire Senate at once, promotes stability  House: Two-year terms  Smaller number of Senators gives each one more individual power and allows for unlimited debate (protection of minority rights)  The House is much more structured and runs according to majority rule

 Senate: Minimum age of 30, citizen for 9 years  House: Minimum age of 25, citizen for 7 years  The Founders anticipated that the Senate would be the “elder statesmen” exercising greater judgment, while the House would be more responsive to the popular will  Latin “ senex ” = “old man”  This forms the root of both “Senate” and “senile.” Draw your own conclusions.

 Demographically – not very  Wealthier, older, better educated than the population as a whole  Whites are overrepresented and other racial groups are underrepresented  There are now 100 women in Congress for the first time in history. This is a big deal.

 To what extent does Congress accurately reflect the will of the people?  If a small, heavily Republican state like Wyoming has the same number of Senators as a large, heavily Democratic state like California, does this distort the popular will?  What about the House?

 The Constitutional reason for the Census is to determine each state’s number of representatives for the next ten years. This is reapportionment.

 Once the state’s number of representatives is determined, the district lines must be drawn so that each district within the state contains the same number of people (this was not required until a series of Supreme Court decisions in the 1960’s.)  How you draw the lines determines who wins.  In most states, the legislature draws the lines. Some states use independent districting commissions.

 Legislation vs. representation  Constituency service and personal attentiveness  Decision-making: Delegate, trustee, politico