2.  Bicameral Legislature  Two houses  Upper house  Senate  2 members from each state  Lower house  House of Representatives  Based on population

3.  Terms of Congress  Term starts Jan. 3 rd  Each odd numbered year  Lasts 2 years  Each one numbered  111 th is in session now  Sessions (meetings)  2 each term  Jan. to Nov. or Dec.

4.  House of Representatives  435 voting members  Reps for each state based on population  Adjustments made every 10 yrs  After census count  Each state has at least 1  Reps serve 2yr terms

5.  Districts  Each state is divided up by their legislators  Something like counties  Each district has to have same population  Sometimes districts are drawn oddly  Gerrymandering

6.  Senate  100 members  2 from each state  Represents their entire state  6 yr term  Elections are staggered  No more than 1/3 rd at a time  Ensures stability & continuity

7.  Leaders in Congress  Both houses  Majority & minority parties  Each have their own leaders  HOR  Leader- Speaker of the House  Leader of the majority party  Has a lot of power  Guides legislation  Leads floor debates  In line for pres if anything happens to VP

8.  Senate  VP is leader of the Senate  Only votes to break a tie  president pro tempore  Acts as chairman (leader)  Usually is majority party’s most senior member

9.  Committee Work  3 types of committee *see chart p. 181  Standing  Permanent  Select/Special  Temporary  Meet for a limited time  Deal with special issues  Joint  Meeting with members of both houses  Specific issues

10.  Committee Assignments  Congressmen want important positions  Rep from farm country will want to be on an ag. Committee  Party leaders make assignments  Usually based on seniority  Longest serving member usually is chairperson  Pros: prevents fights over positions  Cons: talent may be overlooked