1. APK: Representation
In order for someone to accurately represent you they must look just like you.
Agree
Disagree

4. How Congress is Organized
GOAL 2.02

5. Legislative Branch
The Framers of the U.S. Constitution intended the legislative branch to be the most powerful branch.

6. Special/Joint Sessions
Congress holds special sessions in times of crisis.
A joint session occurs when both houses meet together, such as for the president’s State of the Union address.

7. A Bicameral Legislature
The Great Compromise established Congress as a two-part, or bicameral, body.

8. House of Representatives

9. Voting Members
The House of Representatives has 435 voting members, allotted to the states by population.
435

10. Representation Based on Population
After each census, or population count taken by the Census Bureau, Congress adjusts the number of representatives given to each state.

11. State Districts 12th District Mel Watt
States are divided into districts, with one representative elected from each district.
The states draw districts to include roughly the same number of constituents, or people represented.
12th District
Mel Watt

12. Gerrymandering
Some abuse the process by drawing a gerrymander, or oddly shaped district designed to increase the voting strength of a particular group.

14. Senate

15. Voting Members 100 The Senate has 100 members—two from each state.
Senators represent their entire states.
They serve six-year terms.
100

16. North Carolina Senators
Richard Burr
Kay Hagan

17. Congressional Leaders

18. Majority/Minority Party
In both houses, the political party to which more than half the members belong is the majority party.
The other party is the minority party.
Party members choose their leaders at the beginning of each term.

19. The Speaker of the House
The Speaker of the House is the most powerful leader in the House of Representatives.
The Speaker always belongs to the majority party.
The Speaker is in charge of floor debates and influences most House business.
If something happened to the president and vice president, the Speaker would become president.
Nancy Pelosi

20. The President Pro Tempore
The leader of the Senate is technically the vice president, who rarely attends and votes only in case of a tie.
The person who actually acts as chairperson is the president pro tempore.
The majority party fills this mostly ceremonial position.

21. Party “Whips”
Powerful floor leaders try to make sure the laws Congress passes are in the best interest of their own party.
They speak for their parties on the issues and try to sway votes.
Party “whips” help by keeping track of where their party members stand on issues and rounding them up for key votes.

22. Committees: Little Legislatures

23. Standing Committees
The detailed work of lawmaking is done in committees.
Each house has permanent standing committees that continue their work from session to session.
Most are divided into smaller subcommittees that deal with specialized issues.

24. Select Committees
Both houses also have select committees that are created to do a special job for a limited period.
They disband after completing their task.

25. Joint Committees Joint committees include members of both houses.
Temporary conference committees help the House and Senate agree on the details of a proposed law.

26. Seniority
Members of Congress try to get assigned to important committees that affect the people who elected them.
Party leaders make committee assignments based on members’ preferences, expertise, party loyalty, and seniority, or years of service.

27. Chairpersons
Members with the most seniority usually get the preferred committee spots.
The most senior members from the majority party traditionally become chairpersons.
Chairpersons of standing committees are the most powerful members of Congress.

28. Representing the People

29. Qualifications Senate House Senators must be at least 30 years old.
Both Senators and members of the House must live in the state they represent. House members usually live in their districts, but are not required to do so.
House
Senate
Senators must be at least 30 years old.
Senators must have been citizens for at least nine years.
House members must be at least 25.
House members must have been citizens for at least seven years.

30. Benefits Members of Congress Receive a Salary of $150,000
Free Office Space
Free Trips Back to their Home States
Also, They have the Franking Privilege (they may send job-related mail for free)
Immunity in Some Situations (Though, they may not break the law.)
Low-cost Life Insurance
Use of a Gymnasium
Use of Special Restaurants
Use of a Medical Clinic

31. Congressional Staff
Each Congressman has personal staff that run the offices.
They gather information on issues, arrange meetings, and write speeches.
They handle requests from voters.
They deal with reporters and lobbyists—people hired by private groups to influence government decision makers.
The staff works for the member’s reelection on their own time.

32. Interns and Pages
Members of Congress hire students from their home states or districts to serve as interns and pages.
Interns help with research and office duties.
Pages deliver messages and run errands.

33. The Library of Congress
The Library of Congress provides information for members of Congress and their staffs.
The Library’s Congressional Research Service looks up facts and spells out arguments for and against bills.

34. The General Accounting Office (GAO)
The General Accounting Office reviews spending activities of federal agencies, studies programs and recommends ways to spend taxpayers’ dollars wisely.

35. The Congressional Budget Office
The Congressional Budget Office provides information and analyses to help Congress create a budget.
It estimates costs and economic effects of programs.

36. Members of Congress at Work
In representing the people who elected them, members of Congress carry out three major jobs.

37. Make Laws Congress members make laws.
They introduce bills- proposed laws, work on committees, listen to input for and against bills, and then vote.

38. Casework
Congress members do casework—they troubleshoot for people from their home district or state who request help in dealing with the federal government.

39. Protect the Interests of Their State
Congress members protect the interests of their state or district.
For example, a senator from a state with strong timber industries might seek to influence logging policies.
Members also work to gain a share of national government spending for their constituents.
A government contract can bring a lot of money to local businesses and jobs for local people.

40. Pork-Barrel Projects
Government projects and grants that primarily benefit the home district or state are called pork-barrel projects.

41. Class Quiz