1. Magruder’s American Government
C H A P T E R 10 Congress
Copyright, 2000 © Prentice Hall

2. SECTION 1 The National Legislature
C H A P T E R 10 Congress
SECTION 1 The National Legislature
SECTION 2 The House of Representatives
SECTION 3 The Senate
SECTION 4 The Members of Congress
Chapter 10

3. S E C T I O N 1 The National Legislature
Article I of the Constitution establishes a bicameral (two-house) Congress.
Congress is a bicameral body primarily because the Framers:
(1) were familiar with British, colonial, and early State practices
(2) agreed to the Connecticut Compromise at the Philadelphia Convention
(3) hoped that one house would act as a check on the other
A term of Congress extends over two years with two regular sessions each term—one per year.
Chapter 10, Section 1

4. S E C T I O N 2 The House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is the larger of the two chambers with 435 seats (members) which are based on population.
The Federal Government conducts a census every ten years and directs Congress to reallocate seats if necessary.
Each State is entitled to at least one seat in the House and members are elected for a term of two years.
Members are elected from districts within the States that are designed by the State legislatures.
The Supreme Court ruled that the districts must be drawn in accord with the “one-person, one vote” rule.
Chapter 10, Section 2

5. S E C T I O N 3 The Senate
The Constitution stipulates that each State is to have two senators from each of the current fifty States.
Senators serve six-year terms and must be residents of the States they represent.
The Constitution sets higher qualifications for senators than it does for representatives:
(1) Members of the Senate must be at least 30 years old versus 25 years for representatives.
(2) Senators must have been citizens for at least nine years in contrast with seven for representatives.
Chapter 10, Section 3

6. S E C T I O N 4 The Members of Congress
Members of Congress are not a representative cross-section of the American people.
Members of Congress are legislators and also serve as representatives and servants of their constituents, committee members, and politicians.
Most members usually adopt one of four behavioral styles:
(1) trustees whose decisions are based solely on their best judgments
(2) delegates who follow the wishes of their constituents
(3) partisans who feel duty-bound to support their parties’ position
(4) politicos who try to balance these roles as situations demand
Chapter 10, Section 4