1. CONGRESS: The People’s Branch

2. Structure & Powers of Congress
The Federalist, No. 51, page 263 in your book
Separation of Powers to make sure legislative Branch does not get too big
Article I establishes the Legislative Branch

3. Terms and Sessions Term lasts for two years
112th Congress Convened on Jan. 3, 2011
Session-period of time Congress meets during the year
Adjourn- when the Congress stops meeting and begins a recess
Pro-forma session- what the Senate is in now

4. HOUSE
435 members
Represent population within a state
Two year terms
Must be 25 years old, US citizen for 7 years, and live in state at the time of the election

5. Senate 100 members 2 from each state Six year terms
Staggered elections every two years (3 different classes)
Must be 30 years old, US citizen for 9 years, and live in the state at the time of election

6. Congressional Elections
Safe Seats-USUALLY won by a particular party
Swing District-seat is competitive
Incumbents usually win (90% in Senate, 98% in the House)

7. Drawing District Lines for the House of Representatives
Apportioned
Reapportion-census every 10 years
Reapportionment Act of 1929
435 Members
District has about 650,000 people

8. Terms/Cases to know: Adjourn Prorogue Special session Reapportionment
Redistricting
Gerrymandering
Wesberry v. Sanders, 1964
Off year elections
Continuous body
Constituencies
4 ways a member of Congress can vote
Franking privileges

9. The Job of the Legislator
REPRESENTATIVE-
Delegates-vote according to what the constituents want
Trustees- vote for what is best for the constituents
Partisans- vote strictly along party lines
Politicos- attempt to combine the basic elements of delegates, trustees, and partisans