1. Congress
Chapter 5

2. 5.1 Bicameral Legislature
Apportionment- Distribution of seats
One Representative for every 30,000 people. (1789)
Census –
Today each representative represents roughly 735,000 people
Size of the House has been set at 435 since 1910

3. Apportionment and Redistricting
U.S. Constitution requires a census be taken every ten years.
Redistricting-

4. House of Representatives Qualifications
Age
Years a Citizen
Live in the state

5. Senate Qualifications
Age -
Years a citizen -
Live in the state

6. Terms
House of Representatives- two years terms, elected by popular vote.
Each term in the House is divided into two one year sessions
Each House term is numbered ( is the 114th term)
Senators- six year terms, originally elected by state legislatures.

7. Redistricting
Reapportionment –
Redistricting –
Gerrymandering -

8. Gerrymandering, explained

9. Salary and benefits Salary – Franking privilege –
Free from arrest except “treason, felony or breach of the peace”
Not protected for what they say outside of Congress
Incumbency –
Between 1945 and % were reelected

10. 5.2 How Congress is Organized
Speaker of the House-
formally elected by the whole house
The majority and minority leader
Elected by their parties
Majority/Minority Whips

11. Constitutional Powers of Congress
Authority to make laws
No bill (proposed law) can become law wihout consent of both houses.
Article I Section 8 lists powers (p. 56)
Necessary and Proper clause- gives Congress the power to “make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution all the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of the United States”

13. Constitutional Differences between the House and Senate
Initiates all revenue bills
Initiates impeachment procedures and passes articles of impeachment
Senate
Offers advice and consent on many major Presidential appointments
Tries impeached officials
Approves treaties

14. Differences in Operation
House
More centralized, stronger leadership
Rules committee powerful in controlling time and rules for debate
More impersonal
Power less evenly distributed
Members are highly specialized
Emphasizes tax and revenue policy
Senate
Less centralized, less formal, weaker leadership
No rules committee, limits on debate come through unanimous consent or filibuster
More personal
Power more evenly distributed
Members are generalists
Emphasizes foreign policy

15. Speaker of the House: John Boehner (R- Ohio)

16. Minority Leader: Nancy Pelosi (D-California)

17. Demographics
Congress is better educated and wealthier than the general public
Senate is often called the “Millionaires Club”
The 112th Congress ( ) has 241 Republicans and 193 Democrats.
The Senate, which has been in continuous session since 1789, has 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans, 2 independents (both vote in Democratic Caucus)

18. Role of Representatives
Trustee-
Delegate-
Politicos-

19. Organization of the Senate
Presiding Officer-Vice President of the United States
Chair of the Senate- President pro-tempore
Majority Leader-
Whips-

20. Role of Political Parties
Party Caucus-nominates party officers, reviewing committee assignments, discussing party policy, imposing party discipline,
Conference and Caucus chairperson-
Congressional Campaign Committees

21. Members and their votes
Party –
Constituents –
Colleagues –
Interest Groups -

22. Committee System Standing Committees- Conference Committees-
Ad-hoc or special committees-
Joint committees-

23. Lawmaking House of Representatives Introduced in the House
Referred to House Committee
subcommittee
Reported by Full Committee
Rules Committee Action
Full House Debate and Votes on Passage

24. Senate Introduced Referred to Senate Committee
Referred to subcommittee
Reported to full Senate by Full Committee
Full Senate Debate and Votes on Passage
Conference Committee
House and Senate must approve the same version
The bill is sent to the President for his signature or veto

25. Congress and the President
Oversight –
Foreign Policy and National Security – President is preeminent in terms of foreign policy
Confirmation of Presidential Appointments
Impeachment Process -

26. Congress and the Judiciary
Congress decides the size, appellate jurisdiction, structure of the federal court system, budget
Senate approves Pres. Appointment of federal judges
Senatorial Courtesy –