Congress

Bicameral LegislatureLawmaking body consisting of two houses: House

of Representatives and Senate

How did we get there?Virginia Plan: Bicameral legislature with houses

based off populationNew Jersey Plan: Bicameral legislature with houses

based off a set number of representatives per stateConnecticut Compromise: One house (House of

Representatives) uses population data, the other uses a set number (Senate)

House of RepresentativesBased off population but each state must

have at least 1 representativeDistrict of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa,

and the US Virgin Islands have one delegate who cannot vote

Consists of 435 membersWhy 435?

1789: 65 reps in the House (one for every 30,000 people)

Over time change needed due to added population

1911: Limit to be 435

How does the 435 get divided?Apportioned (distributed by population)

Each state gets a number appropriate to it from census dataIf population increases, you may acquire seatsIf population decreases, you may lose seats

Each state is divided into districts based off populationGerrymandering: drawing district lines that favor a

particular political party, politician, group, etc.

House (continued)Elections held every even-numbered year

All members have two-year terms

If a member dies or resigns during his term, the governor of the home state is required to call a special election to fill the vacancy

Requirements for the HouseBe at least 25 years old

Been a US citizen for at least 7 years

Be a legal resident of the state you representNot necessary to live in

district you run in

SenateTwo Senators from each state

Six year termsElections held each even-numbered yearThus, 1/3 of Senate comes up for election every 2

yearsEnsures 2/3 have experience

If someone dies, governors appoint member until next regular election or state has a special election

Congress in GeneralSalary: $174,000

Members get an allowance to pay staff members as well

Provided offices in CapitolFree trips to home stateAllowances for local officesFranking privilege: right to mail letters or packages

for freeLeaders in each chamber receive extra compensation

No limits on how many terms you may have

Congress (continued)Immunity when Congress is in session

Cannot be arrested in or on their way to or from a meeting in Congress

Reason: not unnecessarily kept from performing their duties

Rules of ConductLimits on outside income and full disclosure of

financesCan challenge qualifications of newly elected

members

Can our Reps be punished?Expulsion: Person must give up seat in

CongressRequires a 2/3 voteOnly for very serious offensesOnly happened 20 times (5 in House; 15 in

Senate) Last House member in 2002 (James Traficant) Last Senate member in 1862 (Jesse D. Bright)

Many times expulsion votes fail or person in question resigns John Ensign of Nevada in 2011

Can our Reps be punished?Censure: Formal disapproval of actions

Must stand alone at front of House/Senate and listen as the charges are read

Censures: 9 in Senate, 23 in House Last one in 2010: Charles Rangel of New York