1. WARM –UP Complete in your notebook
CONSTITUENT: the people served by
an elected official.
Who are the constituents of the President?
Who are the constituents of a US Senator?
Who are the constituents of a US Representative (“Congressman/women”)?

2. The Senate

3. NOTES - Qualifications
Formal
30 years old
Citizen for 9 years
Inhabitant of the State where elected
Informal
Party ID
Name Recognition
Political Experience

4. NOTES - Elections and Terms
Serve for 6 years
ALL House of Representatives run for election every 2 years
SENATE is STAGGERED - 1/3 are up for election every 2 years so there is a “continuous body”
Originally elected by State legislatures, now Senators are elected by the People

5. NOTES - The Good Life in the Senate
Salary: $174,000 (same as House)
Benefits: Health benefits; Pension after five years of full participation (but don’t start collecting $$$ until they get old, like House)
One of the few…There are only 100 senators, so they are “special” and more prestigious than members of the House of Representatives

6. Profile of the 112th Congress
House: 242 Republicans, 193 Democrats
Senate: 47 Republicans, 51 Democrats, and 2 Independents, who often vote with the Democrats
Average Age: House - 57; Senate – 62
Jobs: Politics, business, and law

7. Profile of the 112th Congress
Women: 74 in the House, 17 in the Senate
44 African American Members of the House (a record number) and NONE in the Senate.
26 Hispanic or Latino Members serving in the House, and 2 in the Senate.
13 Members (nine Representatives, two Delegates, and two Senators) are Asian or Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander.
1 Native American serves in the House.

8. PAT TOOMEY (PA-R) Elected in 2010 (serving 2011-2016)
Former member of the US House of Representatives
Member of Budget Committee
Appointed to work on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (which did not meet its Nov 23 deadline)

9. BOB CASEY (PA-D)
Elected in 2006 (serving , re-elected in 2012 and will serve until 2018)
Former PA Treasurer and Auditor General (like being the accountant for the state government)
Dad was Governor of PA
Member of Foreign Relations Committee

10. TIM MURPHY (PA-18, R) US HOUSE
18th Congressional District in PA
Member of House of Representatives since 2003; will start his 6th term in Congress 2013
Member of Energy & Commerce Committee
Psychologist, Navy Reserve & Professor

11. The Senate Desks

12. Fun Facts - Desks in the Senate
The Old Senate Chamber – desks are antiques and part of American history
When British troops burned the Capitol in 1814, the Senate Chamber and all its contents were lost. Reconstruction took until 1819
Senators took their seats in the rebuilt Chamber, with 48 new desks and chairs custom made by Thomas Constantine, a New York cabinetmaker.
Constantine was paid $34 for each Senate desk