Congress – The National Legislature

1. Congress – The National Legislature Congress translate public will into public policy – law. Congress has all legislative power. Bicameral Legislature Historical – British Parliament; well known Practical – Represented proportionally (House) and equally (Senate) Theoretical – Checks & Balances

5. House party standings (as of March 11, 2014)  233 Republicans, 199 Democrats, 3 vacancies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUCnb5_HZc0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYL28mO8lNI

6. Party membership of the Senate, by state •  2 Democrats •  2 Republicans •  1 Democrat and 1 Republican •  1 Independent and 1 Democrat •  1 Independent and 1 Republican

7. Senate party standings (as of October 31, 2013)  53 Democrats, 2 Independents, both caucusing with Democrats, 45 Republicans

9. Congress – The National Legislature Terms & Sessions - Lasts for 2 years and is numbered consecutively. 20th Amendment – 3rd day of January. 2 sessions for every term; 1 session each year. Congress can adjourn each session as it sees fit. Both houses recess several short times per session. Neither house can adjourn(sine die) without the consent of the other. The President can adjourn a session when Congress cannot agree on a date (Prorogue). Special Session – called by the President only; deals with an emergency situations; President can call either house.

11. Congress – The House of Representatives Qualifications – 25 years of age, citizen for at least 7 years, inhabitant of the State from which you are elected. House may or may not refuse to seat a member. May punish (majority) or expel (2/3rd) its members. Other informalqualifications such as political party, ethnicity, gender, name familiarity, or experience may play a role in an election.

12. Congress – The House of Representatives 435 Members – set by Congress – distributed among the States based on population. Each State is guaranteed 1 Representative. Territories send 1 delegate and Puerto Rico sends a commissioner; not full-fledged members. Elected every two years; two year terms; no term limits. Reapportionment – redistribute seats after each decennial (10 years) census. Reapportionment Act of 1929 – 435 members, Census Bureau determines number of seats, President sends it to Congress, Congress has 60 days to respond.

13. Congress – The House of Representatives CongressionalElections – Date – Tuesday following the 1st Monday in November of each even-numbered year. The elections that are held between presidential elections are called Off-Year Elections (Midterm). The party in power usually loses seats. Congressional Districts – 435 separate districts across the country; used to be done using an at-large process. Today, we use a single-memberdistrictplan and States are responsible for drawing district lines.

14. Congress – The House of Representatives Gerrymandering – Drawing a district to the advantage of the political party that controls the State’s legislature. Achieved by Packing, Cracking, or Kidnapping. Concentrate the opponents voter’s Spread them too thinly Wesberry v. Sanders (1964) – “one person one vote” Done on the basis of race violates 15th Amendment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcUDBgYodIE

18. New York's 17th congressional district Representative:Eliot L. Engel (D)[ Counties: Bronx County (part) Westchester County (part) Rockland County (part)

19. New York's 18th congressional district Representative:Nita M. Lowey (D) Counties: Rockland County (part) Westchester County (part)

20. New York's 19th congressional district Representative:John Hall (D) Counties: Dutchess County (part) Orange County (part) Putnam County Rockland County (part) Westchester County (part)

21. New York's 17th congressional district Representative: Nita Lowey (D)

22. Congress – The Senate Qualifications – 30 years of age, citizen for at least nine years, inhabitant of the State from which he or she is elected. Senate judges the qualifications of each member and can refuse to seat a member (majority vote) or punish (majority vote) or expel (2/3rds vote).

23. Congress – The Senate Size – Two Senators from each State (100 total). “Upper House” – more respected and sought after position. Each Senator represent the entire State. Election – Originally chosen by State Legislatures (changed with the 17th Amendment 1913). Only one Senator can be elected in any election unless in the case of death, resignation, or expulsion.

24. Congress – The Senate Term – Six year terms, no limit on terms. Terms are Staggered, only 1/3rd of the Senate comes up for reelection every two years (continuous body). Senators are to focus on the “big picture issues” instead of the interests of a specific group or demographic. Prime source of Presidential candidates, more media attention, more clout, more prestige.

25. Staggering of the United States Senate

27. The Members of Congress Background – Average member is white male, mid 50s, either all married or divorced, 2 children on average, 60% religious affiliation, over a third in the House and over half in the Senate are lawyers, most were born in the State they represent, most have extensive experience. Not a typical cross section of the nation’s population. Composition has changed over the years (women and minorities).

28. The Members of Congress Job Description – Legislators Representatives of their Constituents Trustees – use of conscience and independent judgment to make decisions; decisions are based on merit. Delegates – voting that is done based on what he or she believes their constituents want; do not pay attention to their own beliefs or those of special interest groups or colleagues. Partisans – voting in line with their political party. Politicos – combine and balance the above roles.

29. The Members of Congress Job Description – Committee Members – Proposed laws are referred to committees to be screened. Committees decide which proposals are to be considered by the House and/or Senate. Oversight – checks and regulates the agencies of the Executive Branch. Servants – Assist constituents with various local problems such as passports, loans, contracts, appointments.

31. The Members of Congress Compensation – $174,000 per year; some higher ranking members are paid more (Senate and House majority/minority leaders-$193,400, Speaker of the House-$223,500). FringeBenefits – special tax deduction, travel allowances, generous life and health insurance policies, generous retirement plan, office space allowances, operating costs, franking privilege (postage-free mailing), free printing, low cost supplies, restaurant choices, pools, gym, free parking, and the services of the Library of Congress.

32. The Members of Congress The Politics of Pay – Congressional pay can be limited by the President’s veto or the fear of voter backlash. 27th Amendment Membership Privileges – Exempt from arrest for any civil offenses while engaged in congressional business. Legislative immunity – protection from suits involving “free speech” during official business. Not designed to give members unlimited freedom of speech whether verbal or written (no slander or libel).