1. Legislative Branch

2. Our legislature is a two-part, or bicameral, body. There are 435 voting members in the “lower” house, the House of Representatives. Each congressman represents a district. Every 10 years, the national government does a census, or population count, which determines how many districts each state gets. Representatives serve for two year terms. The whole Congress is up for reelection every other November.

3. Legislative Branch A gerrymander is a district that is drawn in an odd shape, with the purpose of helping one party win. 24 districts Total vote: Dem 52% GOP 48%

4. Legislative Branch The qualifications required to be a representative are listed in Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution. At least 25 years old A citizen of the United States for at least 7 years An inhabitant of the state in which he is elected

5. Legislative Branch The party with the most members is the majority party. Today, the Republicans are the majority party, with 232 members. The party with fewer members is the minority party. Today, the Democrats are in the minority, with 200 members. There are 3 empty seats.

6. Legislative Branch The Speaker of the House is the most powerful member. The Speaker is elected by the majority party. Each political party has teams of floor leaders and whips, who try to help their party’s bills get enough votes to pass.

7. Legislative Branch The Democrats are the majority party in the Senate. In the “upper” house, there are 100 senators, two from each state. Each senator represents the whole state that elects him or her. Senators serve for six year terms. Only one third of the Senators run at the same time.

8. Legislative Branch Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution describes the qualifications required to be a United States senator. At least 30 years old A citizen of the United States for at least 9 years An inhabitant of the state in which he is chosen Originally, state legislatures chose Senators. In 1913, the 17 th Amendment stated that Senators would be elected directly by the people of each state.

9. Legislative Branch Committees: Standing committees- permanent, for ongoing issues like education, commerce, or agriculture 16 in the Senate 19 in the House Select committees- temporary, with a special purpose Joint committees- four permanent (economic, taxes, Library of Congress, and Government Printing Office) Conference committees- temporary, to agree on a particular law