1. Structure of Congress – Goal 2 – Ch 6

2. A Bicameral Legislature
The Great Compromise established Congress as a two- part or bicameral body
The US Capital Building -- Capital Hill, Washington DC

3. A Bicameral Legislature
In the Upper House (US Senate) each state would have an equal number of representatives (two), in the lower house (House of Representatives) each state’s population would determine representation (NC-13)

4. A Bicameral Legislature
The legislative branch is described in Article I of the Constitution and our Congress includes 535 members (435-HOR; 100-S)

5. Terms of Congress
Each term of Congress lasts 2 years and starts on January 3rd of odd-numbered years, each “new” Congress is given a number to identify its two-year term

6. Terms of Congress
Each term is divided into two sessions; Congress may meet during special sessions or in times of crisis, a joint session occurs when the House and Senate meet together
Example: State of the Union Address – Given every January to Congress (joint session)

7. The House of Representatives
The House of Representatives has 435 voting members allotted according to population, the Constitution guarantees each state at least one representative

8. The House of Representatives
After each 10-year census Congress adjusts the number given to each state, they serve 2 year terms and focus on the concerns of their districts [represent their district]

9. The House of Representatives
State legislatures draw boundaries so districts include roughly the same number of constituents, or people represented

10. The House of Representatives
Sometimes states abuse this process by gerrymandering, a gerrymander is an oddly shaped district designated to increase the voting strength of a particular group (ILLEGAL)

11. The Senate
The Senate has 100 members, 2 from each of the 50 states; each senator represents the entire state, they serve 6 year terms
Elections are staggered so no more than one-third are up for reelection at any one time; this ensures a certain amount of stability and continuity
US Senators from NC
(1)
(2)

12. Leaders in Congress
In the House and Senate the political party to which more than half the members belong is known as the majority party the other party is called the minority party
Democrats- minority party
Republicans- majority party

13. Leaders in Congress
The leader of the House of Representatives is known as the Speaker of the House, the Speaker steers legislation through the House and leads floor debates; if anything happens to the President and VP the Speaker is next in line to become President

14. Leaders in Congress
The Vice President presides in the Senate but only votes to break a tie; the President Pro Tempore acts as chairperson for the Senate
VP Mike Pence (R)- President of the Senate
Seantor-Orrin G. Hatch (R)

15. Leaders in Congress
Other powerful leaders are the majority and minority floor leaders in each house, they speak for their parties on issues; Party Whips help the floor leaders, they make sure legislators are present for key votes

16. Committee Work
Each house must consider thousands of bills, or proposed laws, in the course of a session; to make it possible to handle so many bills each house developed a system of committees
Congress has three types of committees: standing committees, select committees, and joint committees

17. Committee Work
Standing Committees= are permanent committees (ex: recommend bills, funding)
Select Committees are temporary committees that deal with special issues, they meet for a limited time until they complete their assigned task (example: committee on aging)
Joint Committees include members of both houses, they meet to consider specific issues (ex: committee on taxes)

18. Committee Assignments
Party leaders make committee assignments, they consider members’ preferences, expertise, and loyalty to the party; another key factor is seniority or years of service
The longest-serving committee member from the majority party traditionally becomes chairperson; they decide when and if a committee meets, what bills are studied, and who will serve on which subcommittee