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

Nancy Pelosi Democrat California

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?

5th District

Virginia Foxx (Republican)

Northwestern NC, and areas around Winston-Salem such as Kernersville and Clemmons

Was Richard Burrs seat before a Senator

6th District

Howard Coble (Republican)

Most of Davidson County (not Lexington/Thomasville), most of Randolph County, most of Guilford County (not High Point or Greensboro), and most of Alamance County (not Burlington)

12th District

Mel Watt (Democrat)

Half of Greensboro, most of High Point, Winston-Salem, Thomasville, Lexington, Salisbury, and Charlotte

Appears to go down I-85

Gerrymander?

13th District

Brad Miller (Democrat)

Half of Greensboro, most of Burlington, Northern NC, and Raleigh

Newer district Gerrymander?

NC Districts

Show map of NC House of Representatives District

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina's_congressional_districts

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

NC Senators

Richard Burr (Republican)

Elected in 2004

From Winston Salem

Formerly a member of the House of Representatives

Kay Hagan (Democrat)

Elected in 2008

From Greensboro

Formerly a state legislator

Both are all NC resident’s Senators- equally