A.The Responsibilities of Lawmaking 1.To constituents – people he or she represents 2.To the nation 3.To his/her political party

4.To interest groups – groups of people who work together for similar interests or goals Lobbyists – people who represent interest groups to convince Congressmen to support or oppose bills Bill – proposed law

B.Members of Congress at Work 1.Learn about issues they vote on 2.Be present on the floor of the House or Senate 3.Attend meetings

C.Representatives 1.Number of representatives for each state is determined by the census 2.Congressional district – area that a member of the House representsCongressional district Districts are redrawn every 10 years Gerrymandering – drawing district lines to achieve favorable political results for one political party Gerrymandering

3.Serve a 2-year term Can be reelected an unlimited number of times 4.Office ends every other January 3

D.Senators 1.Each state is represented by 2 Senators 2.Serve a 6-year term Can be reelected an unlimited number of times 1/3 of Senate is up for election every 2 years

E.Requirements, Salary and Benefits 1.Must live in the state where elected 2.Age requirements Representatives - at least 25 Senators - at least 30 3.Salary is set by Congress Receive additional salary for leadership roles Get money for running office in DC and at home

A.Promote the General Welfare Laws, regulate commerce, collect taxes, borrow money B.Provide for Defense Provide for army, navy, declare war C.Establish Justice Creating federal courts or impeachment

D.Unlisted Powers Can make all laws that are “necessary and proper” for carrying out powers listed in the Constitution Called the “elastic clause”

A.Cannot take away individual’s right to a writ of habeas corpus – paper that orders the police to bring you to court to determine whether there’s enough evidence to keep you in jail B.Can’t pass a bill of attainder – law that convicts a person of a crime w/out a trial

A.Leadership in Congress 1.Speaker of the House a.Chosen by the majority party in the House b.Is the most powerful member of the House c.Presides over sessions d.Appoints committee members

2.President of the Senate a.Vice President b.In charge of sessions c.Can’t take part in debates d.Can only vote in case of a tie 3.President pro tempore a.Presides over the Senate when the VP is gone b.Chosen by the majority party in the Senate

4.Majority floor leaders a.Chief officers of the majority party in each house b.Help guide bills through Congress 5.Minority floor leaders a.Chief officers of minority party in each house

6.Majority and Minority Whips – a.assistant floor leaders who persuade members to support party positions

1.Standing committees a.Permanent committee studies the bill, holds hearings and decides whether to recommend it b.Senate has 19Senate Armed Services Foreign Relations Judiciary c.House has 21House Appropriations Rules Ways and Means

2.Subcommittee a.Formed for very specific jobs w/in jurisdiction of full committees House: Livestock, Dairy and Poultry (w/in Agriculture) Senate: National Parks

3.Select or special committees – appointed for a limited purpose or time House: Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming Senate: “ “ Intelligence

4.Joint committees a.Permanent bodies that include members of both houses for studies or “housekeeping” Joint committee on Printing Joint committee on Taxation

5.Conference committee - te mporary joint committee made up of members of the House and Senate to reconcile a bill to be passed