congress
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Congress. Chapter 6 Sections 1 and 3. Congress Video. Legislative Branch. Article I of the Constitution Makes laws Bicameral (2 houses) House of Representatives Membership based on a state’s population 435 total members Senate 2 members from each state 100 total members. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Congress
Chapter 6 Sections 1 and 3
Congress Video
Legislative Branch
Article I of the Constitution Makes laws Bicameral (2 houses)
House of Representatives Membership based on a state’s population 435 total members
Senate 2 members from each state 100 total members
Qualifications
House of Representatives At least 25 years old Live in the state you represent
Some states say you must live in that district too Most states you must live there a year before the election
Been a US citizen for at least 7 years Senate
At least 30 years old Live in the state you represent
Most states you must live there a year before the election (Former Sen. Elizabeth Dole)
Been a US citizen for at least 9 years
Privileges for HoR and Senate
Salary- $165,200 a year Free office space/parking Free trips to home state Franking Privilege- can send job related mail
without paying for stamps Low cost health insurance Use of special facilities: gyms, restaurants,
medical clinics, etc. Immunity (legal protection) in certain
situations
Congressional Leadership
Majority Party- more than ½ members of HofR/Senate belong to the political party
Minority Party- less than ½ the members of HofR/Senate belong to the political party
Floor Leaders Majority Floor Leader- chosen as leader by the majority political
party Minority Floor Leader- chosen as leader by the minority political
party Whips
Majority Whip- helps pass legislation for Majority Floor Leader Minority Whip- helps pass legislation for Minority Floor Leader
House of Representatives Leadership
Speaker of the House- leader of the HoR, chosen by members of the majority party
Has a GREAT amount of power! Steers legislation through the HoR Leads floor debates Next in line if Pres and VP die
John Boehner Republican
Senate Leadership
Vice President of the US is President of the Senate Technical leader, but doesn’t do much Only votes in case of a tie
President Pro Tempore- leader of the Senate, chosen by members of the majority party Day to day leader of the Senate Not as powerful as Speaker ofthe House
Daniel Inouye Democrat Hawaii
Committees Congress must consider thousands of bills during a
yearlong session To make it possible for so many bills to pass, Congress
has committees Standing Committees- permanent committees always in
Congress Ex: Agriculture, Budget, Transportation
Special Committees- formed for a limited amount of time to deal with special issues Ex: Security, Terrorism, Gulf Oil Spill
Joint Committees- formed with members from both HoR and Senate Ex: Taxation
Differences Video
Congress At Work
Representing Constituents Acting on their interest and concerns in Washington Bring federal government projects and money to
their district Pork Barrel Projects- government projects/grants
that primarily benefit their home district Lawmaking
Passing legislation/laws Casework
If necessary, help constituents solve problems with the federal government
House of Representatives Video
Membership
435 members Membership based on a state’s population Each state is guaranteed at least 1 member Serve 2 year terms before up for reelection
Membership adjusted for states every 10 years Census- official population count every 10 years
Districts
Members represent people from their district in their home state
Constituents- people represented NC has 13 districts NC had 12 districts– but gained a new district
with the 2000 census Had to make a new district so they made the
13th district with Greensboro, Northern NC, and Raleigh (since these areas had the highest gains in population which added the new seat)
Gerrymander
Gerrymander- nickname given to an oddly shaped district
Gerrymander is not suppose to happen, and there are laws to prevent it
Why would people want to create odd shaped districts?
GA Districts
12 District- John Barrow
Senate Video
Membership
100 members 2 from each state Serve for 6 year terms before up for reelection
Senator elections are staggered 1/3 of all Senators are up for reelection every 2
years
Governor appoints a fill in if a Senator dies/resigns
GA Senators
Saxby Chambliss(Republican) Johnny Isakson (Republican)
Both are all GA resident’s Senators- equally