Chapter 10: Congress

Congress with all of its faults is the most representative body in the land. It reflects however imperfectly the bigness and diversity of America. It responds however imperfectly to the expressed hopes, desires, and ambitions of the American people. -Acceptance Remarks from The Honorable Lee H. Hamilton, U.S. Capitol Historical Society, 2005 Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 2

Introduction Why does the Constitution establish a bicameral legislature? Historically: Parliament has two houses as did most of the colonial legislatures. Practically: two houses were adopted as part of the Great Compromise Theoretically: having two house of Congress means that one house can check the powers of the other. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 3

The National Legislature Congress turns the will of the people into public policy by passing laws. The Constitution spends more space detailing the Legislative Branch than any other branch. Challenge: Members of Congress represent the issues of their states, but must also work together to solve national issues. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 4

Representation Each state is equally represented in the Senate and represented by population in the House. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 5

The Capital Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 6

Congressional Terms Beginning in 1789, Congress has met for two-year terms. The 20 th Amendment (1933) states that Congressional terms start on January 3 rd of every odd-numbered year. 112 th Congress convenes in 2012 Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 7

Adjourning Congress A session is the regular period of time during which Congress conducts business. Congress adjourns, or suspends until the next session, each regular session as it sees fit. Only the President may call Congress into a special session a meeting to deal with some emergency situation. (A joint session has been called 27 times) Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 8

Chapter 10: Congress House of Representatives

Introduction There are currently 435 seats in the House. Seats are distributed based on the population of each state each state has at least one representative. The Reapportionment Act of 1929 fixed the size of the House at 435 members. Congress can change this number if it wishes. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 10

Census Every 10 years the Census Bureau counts the national population. Article I of the Constitution directs Congress to reapportion redistribute the seats in the House after each census. Currently, each seat in the House represents about 700,000 people. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 11

10th Frank Wolf (R) 11th Gerry Connolly (D) 8th Jim Moran (D) Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 14

Congressional Elections Representatives are elected every two years. Elections are held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. Elections held in nonpresidential years are called off-year elections. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 15

Congressional Districts Representatives are elected from singlemember congressional districts. The voters in each district can elect only one representative to the House. Each district in each state must have similarsized populations. Seven states have only one representative, so their district consists of the entire state. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 16

Gerrymandering Gerrymandering involves drawing the borders of districts to favor one political party. This includes either packing (clustering voters) or cracking (spreading them out) Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 17

Formal Qualifications Custom requires representatives to live in the districts they represent. Representatives must: Be at least 25 years old Have been a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years Be an inhabitant of the state from which he or she is elected. Being an incumbent is a big advantage more than 90 percent of those seeking reelection to the House win. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 21

Informal Qualifications Include factors such as gender, ethnicity, political experience, name recognition, and party affiliation. Heath Shuler (D., NC) had no political experience before his election to the House in 2006. Shuler had been an NFL quarterback and owned a real estate business. He was approached by both parties to run for office. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 22

Chapter 10: Congress Senate

Introduction The Senate has 100 members, two from each state. Members are elected to six-year terms. The 17 th Amendment (1912) calls for the popular election of senators The Senate is a continuous body, meaning that all of its seats are never up for election at the same time. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 24

Qualifications Senators are members of what is often called the world s most exclusive club. Senators must be: at least 30 years old; a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years; reside in the state they represent. Senator Edward Kennedy (D., Mass) Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 25

Chapter 10: Congress Section 4

Introduction Members of each house have five major roles. They act as: Legislators Representatives of their constituents Servants of their constituents Committee members Politicians Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 27

112 th Congress Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 28

112 th Congress Demographics Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 29

Profile of the 112th Congress 1 2 3 Chapter 10, Section 4 Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 30

Representatives of the People Senators and representatives are elected to represent people. As legislators they have four voting options: Trustees Trustees believe that each question they face must be decided on its merits. Partisans Lawmakers who owe their first allegiance to their political party are partisans. Delegates Delegates see themselves as agents of the people who elected them. Politicos Politicos attempt to combine the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 32

Overview of Members Congress is made up mostly of upper-middleclass Americans. Most of the 535 members of Congress are married white men aged 50 or older who have college degrees and identify themselves as Christians. Congress has 89 women, 44 African Americans, 29 Hispanics, seven Asian Americans, and one Native American. The typical senator is serving a second term, while the average representative has served four terms. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 33

Committee Members Members of Congress do much of their work in committees. Committee members must decide which bills will die in committee and which ones will move ahead to be voted on. Committee members also provide oversight of executive branch agencies, making sure that they carry out the public policies set by law. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 35

Compensation Congress sets its own pay. Today, rank-and-file senators and representatives make $174,000 per year. Leaders are paid $193,400. The Speaker gets $223,500. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 36

Fringe Benefits Benefits include access to inexpensive health care, free parking, and generous pensions. Members receive funds to hire staff and run their rent-free offices. The franking privilege allows members of Congress mail letters and other materials without postage. They can print items for free, and produce radio or television tapes at low cost. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 37

Membership Privileges Members of Congress are immune from arrest for noncriminal offenses while engaged in congressional business. More importantly, the Speech and Debate Clause (Article I, Section 6, Clause 1) protects representatives and senators from suits for libel or slander arising from their official conduct. Copyright Pearson Education, Inc. Slide 39