1. The Senate and the House of Representatives

2. Two Houses of Congress Congress
Lawmaking body of the federal government
Composed of two houses
The Senate
Equal representation of the states
The House of Representatives
Representation is based on state population
They did this in part to make sure that both small and large states would be fairly represented
Allows each house to check the actions of the other
The system prevents Congress from passing laws in haste

3. The House of Representatives
How Membership is Divided
Census, taken every ten years, determines how many seats each state will receive
Originally only 65 members, the House has grown to 435 members, which is now the limit
Congressional Districts
District boundaries must be drawn, so each district is almost equal in population
State legislators draw the district
Sometimes they draw district lines that favor a particular political party, politician, or group of people, called gerrymandering

4. The House of Representatives
Electing Representatives
Regular elections are held in November of each even-numbered year
All representatives are elected for two-year terms
If a representative dies or resigns before the end of a term, the governor of the representative’s home state must call a special election to fill the vacancy

5. Qualifications of Members- HOR
A representative in the House must:
Be at least 25 years old
Have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years
Be a legal resident of the state he or she represents

6. Jobs of the House of Reps
Sole power of Impeachment
Elects the president if there is a tie in electoral votes
Speaker of House chosen by H.O.R.

7. The Senate
Regardless of size, each state is to have two senators in the Senate
100 members
Each senator represents the entire state
6-year terms
Only 1/3 of the Senate’s membership comes up for election every two years
If a senator dies or resigns most states allow the governor to appoint someone

8. Qualifications of Members- Senate
A Senator must:
Be at least 30 years old
Have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years
Be a legal resident of the state he or she represents

9. Jobs of the Senate Approves or rejects treaties
Serve as Jury at Impeachment trial
Vice President= President of Senate

10. Salary and Benefits Congress receives a yearly salary of $145,100
They receive an allowance to pay staff members
They also have franking privilege – the right to mail official letters or packages free of charge
They also have immunity or legal protection
They cannot be arrested in or on their way to or from a meeting in Congress

11. Rules of Conduct
The House and Senate have passed codes of conduct for their members
Make full disclosure of their financial holdings
Cannot use campaign funds for personal expenses
Congressman can be removed from office
Less serious offenses may bring a vote of censure or formal disapproval of a member’s actions

12. Congressional Powers House of Reps. + Senate = Congress
Create and collect Taxes
Regulate Commerce with other nations
Borrow Money
Coin Money
Declare War
Raise support for Armies
Maintain Navy

13. Congressional Power Cont.
Call a Draft
Propose Amendments
Elastic Clause- Gives congress powers to write laws about new situations
Both Senate and House meet in Capitol Building