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The Congress

The Congress. American Gov’t Unit 3. K.W.L. Write down ANY 5 facts that you KNOW about The CONGRESS. Introduction. Congress is the best example of the REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY that we live in…why?

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The Congress

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  1. The Congress American Gov’t Unit 3

  2. K.W.L. Write down ANY 5 facts that you KNOW about The CONGRESS

  3. Introduction • Congress is the best example of the REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY that we live in…why? • James Madison: “the first branch of the National Government.” felt that the Congress would be the most powerful • Congress’ basic job description is found in ________, Section 1 of the Constitution. • “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in the Congress…” LONGEST OF ALL ARTICLES Article I

  4. A Bicameral Congress • Bicameral means: • House of Representatives (Lower House) • Senate (Upper House) • Why use this way? (glad you asked) • Historical – used in the British gov’t • Practical – compromise of NJ and Va. Plans • Theoretical – fits with the Checks and Balances System • A two-house system keeps the legislative branch from taking over the other two branches of gov’t. How is that? “Two Houses”

  5. Terms & Session of Congress • Term – Lasts for 2 years • This started in 1789 with the “First Congress” (always on odd numbered years) • Now, in 2011, we have the 112th Congress • Why did they decide for a term to be two years? • “Sessions” or meetings – Lasts for 1 year • This is the actual time that they are “working” (breaks & holidays are included) • They must get the other’s House’s permission to adjourn for more than 3 days • President can call “special sessions” if needed…

  6. Checkpoint • What Article discusses the Congress? • Article 1 • How long does a “session” last? • 1 year • How long does a “term” last? • 2 years • What does Bicameral mean? • Two Houses

  7. The House of Representatives

  8. Logistics of the House of Reps. 64 original members • Members: 435 total – from the 50 states – are distributed • This number is set by the Congress, NOTthe Constitution. • Based on POPULATION • Re-Apportionment Act of 1929 • Kept the number at 435 • Census Bureau determines the population and the number of reps for each state • President has C.B.’s plan approved by Congress, official unless it gets rejected • Set the formula for determining representatives Set in 1911 When was the last census?

  9. FORECAST: If nothing changes with legislation, what will the House number be in 2112?

  10. Population growth in the last 10 years

  11. What is happening to your representation “piece of the pie?” http://www.census.gov/

  12. More Logistical Stuff • Representation is based on Population (691,475 = 1 rep) • Each state is guaranteed at least one representative in the House • US Territories (US Virgin Islands, Guam, etc.) get to send a “delegate” (non-voting role) 7 of these So if the number doesn’t get bigger than 435, what happens when the population of Georgia gets bigger???

  13. More seats = more national power 691,475 = 1 rep

  14. FROM THE CENSUS BUREAU • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwRhFZ2lQbI&feature=relmfu • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUCnb5_HZc0

  15. If you were to add each of these numbers from all 50 states…what would be the total?

  16. http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/index.php

  17. How many States lost 2 reps? How many States gained 2 reps? How many States have only 1 rep? Trend in the Western States? What act? What # now? How Often? Total of All? Why them?

  18. How many States lost 2 reps? How many States gained 2 reps? How many States have only 1 rep? Trend in the Western States? What act? What # now? How Often? Total of All? Why them?

  19. Representative Qualifications FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS • At least 25 years old • Citizen of the United States for at least 7 years • Live in the state that you represent (usually in your district too, though not required) INFORMAL QUALIFICATIONS • Party Identity, Name Familiarity, Experience, etc. How many people does this include???

  20. Representative Elections & Terms Death, resignation, retire…What happens? • The Tuesday following the first Monday in November during even numbered years • All 435 are up for re-election every two years (is it this year???) • “Off-year Election” – congressional elections, but NO Presidential elections (ex. 2010) • REPRESENTATIVE TERMS • 2 years long • No Term Limits 90% are re-elected John Dingell from MI – has been elected 29 times…more than anyone in history…(been there since 1955!)

  21. Let’s talk about Georgia… • There are 13 CongressionalDistricts in our state. (at this moment) • For the 2012 Election there will be 14 Congressional Districts. • That means that there are __?__ representatives in D.C. that are representing Georgians. • Checkpoint: • Who determined that we have 13 representatives? • What did they base it on?

  22. Georgia’s Congressional Districts Why are districts in South Georgia so big? Why are districts around Atlanta so small?

  23. Drawing the Lines • The Census Bureau determines the number of representatives • The State Legislatures draw the lines • How could this lead to problems? • They call it “Gerrymandering”

  24. Gerrymandering • Drawing district lines that effect a particular party • Two Strategies • Solidify my party • Diversify my opponent’s party Pack & Crack the Green Dots

  25. Gerrymandering at its finest… The unusual "earmuff" shape of the 4th Congressional District of Illinois connects two Hispanic neighborhoods while remaining contiguous by narrowly tracing Interstate 294.

  26. More Illinois Gerrymandering…

  27. Westbury v. Sanders, 1964 • One Person = One Vote • Trying to get equal representation across the state • Can’t just cut up a state in even chunks – it wouldn’t be equal. • Checkpoint • What district does Milton High School fall in? • Can you vote for a person who is running in another district?

  28. THE SENATE American Government

  29. FYI… • 33% of Senators started out in the House, but no member of the Senate ever moved down to the House…

  30. Senate’s Size • 100 members in the Senate • 2 members from every state • 50 states = 100 • Members of the Senate represent the entire state, not just a district

  31. Senate’s Qualifications • 30 years old • Citizen of the US for 9 years • Live in the state which they represent

  32. Senate’s Terms • 6 Year Terms (1/3 are up for re-election every 2 years) • Longest term in the government, for an elected official • No term limits • Robert Byrd elected 9 times (51 years in office when he died in 2010)! • Often the Senate is a stepping-stone to the White House

  33. Thurmond turns 100 while in the Senate…

  34. Senate’s “Leader” • Could there be a tie in voting in the Senate? • How can they break it? Who is the Tie-Breaker? • The President of the Senate is…duh. • Who is that? Hint: This is the ONLY job listed by the CONSTITUTION for this person….

  35. President of the Senate is… The Vice President

  36. Senate’s Election • Originally, each State had the State Legislators appoint Senators • Then came the… • Direct Election of Senators • Only 1/3 of the Senators can be up for election every 2 years • Continuous Body - unlike the House - What does this mean? 17th Amendment

  37. Georgia’s Senators Johnny Isakson Saxby Chambliss Chambliss earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Georgia in 1966 and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1968. Chambliss and his wife, Julianne, have been married since 1966, and reside in Moultrie, Georgia. Johnny began his business career in 1967 when he opened the first Cobb County office of a small, family-owned real estate business, Northside Realty. Johnny later served as president of Northside for 20 years, presiding over the company’s growth into the largest independent residential real estate brokerage company in the Southeast and one of the largest in America.

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