Warm-Up 1. What does bicameral mean? 2. Why did the Framers choose to have a two-house legislature? 3. Which house do you think is most important and why?
Objectives Describe the bicameral structure and organization of the US Congress and Maryland General Assembly. Explain how congressional membership is determined. 1. Warm-Up 2. National/State Legislatures Worksheet 3. Congressional Membership Notes 4. Video Clip US Congress 5. Closing Questions
Congressional Membership
Worksheet! Complete the following worksheet: Page 3.6 of your Interactive Notebook Use textbook pages 123-130 and pages 157-165. You may work in pairs if you would like.
Structure of Congress Bicameral two-house legislature House of Representatives Senate Congress: Makes laws Formulates national policies
Congressional Sessions Each term begins on January 3 in oddnumbered years and lasts for two years Remains in session until members vote to adjourn Neither House can adjourn for more than three days without the approval of the other house President has authority to call the Congress back into special session
House Membership Representatives must: Be 25 years old Be citizens of the US for at least 7 years Be legal residents of the state that elects them They are elected for 2-year terms Elections are held in November of even-numbered years Every two years all 435 members must run for re-election 90% of all House members win re-election
Representation & Reapportionment Representatives assigned based on population Use the census given every 10 years Each state s population determines the number of its representatives it will have for 10 years Reapportionment process the occurs every 10 years when population can adjust the number of representatives a state will have There are always 435 members in the House Census determines how these seats will be divided
Redistricting State legislatures are in charge of drawing the boundaries of congressional districts within Redistricting process of setting up new district lines after reapportionment has been completed Important Court Cases Baker v. Carr federal courts could decide conflicts over drawing the district lines
Gerrymandering Occurs when district boundary lines are drawn to give one party an advantage Began with Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts Two Ways to Gerrymander Packing drawing the lines so they include as many of the opposing party s voters as possible Cracking dividing an opponent s voters into other districts to weaken their support base
Gerrymandering Gerrymandering is unconstitutional Supreme Court ruled that congressional districts must be compact and contiguous meaning they must touch one another One person, one vote
Senate Membership Senators must: Be at least 30 years old Be citizens of the US at least 9 years before the election Be legal residents of the state they represent All senators are directly elected Each state gets two senators Elected on even-numbered years in November Terms last for six years
Salary & Benefits In 1789 they were paid $6 per day Now they earn six-figure salaries Franking privilege free postage on their mailings Receive money to pay for staff, trips home, newsletters Get income tax deductions since they have to maintain homes Upon retirement, they are eligible for pensions worth $150,000+ per year for life
Member Privileges When they are attending Congress they are free from arrest in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace Cannot be sued for anything they say on the House or Senate floor Each house can refuse to seat an elected member by majority vote Each house may punish members for disorderly conduct
General Characteristics of Members Typically white, middle-aged males Most have backgrounds in business, banking, or education Incumbents Are members running for re-election They get re-elected 90% of the time Campaigning Internet and online campaigning is more popular
Closing Questions Underneath today s warm-up, answer the following questions: 1. Why do you think it is important that our legislature is bicameral? Explain. 2. How is Senate membership determined? House membership? 3. Why is reapportionment necessary? Explain.