How Congress Works

1. How Congress Works

2. Legislative Branch • Location is on “Capital Hill” or “The Hill • The building is the “Capital Building” The Senate meets on one side and the House of Representatives meet on the other side. • The 2 Houses combined are referred to as either… The Legislature The Congress .. Or just “Congress” • If a politician refers to “…the House…” it usually means the House of Representatives

3. Bicameral House –or- 2 Houses 1. The Senate or “Upper House” 2 Senators from each state 100 Members 1/3 are up for re-election every 2 years –promotes stability & continuity 2. House of Representatives or “Lower House” Based on the population of a state 435 Members (Capped) House of Representatives is re-elected every 2 years

4. Requirements to be in Congress • Senate • At least 30 years old • A U.S. citizen for at least nine years at the time of election to the Senate • A resident of the state he or she is elected to represent in the Senate • --They will serve in their State Legislation and in Congress, as well as in the Electoral College • Representative • at least 25 years of age; • a U.S. citizen for at least seven years prior to being elected. • a resident of the state he or she is elected to represent. • --They will serve in their State Legislation and in Congress, as well as in the Electoral College

5. What is a majority and minority Party? • US has two “Political Parties” Democratand Republican • Each House has a majority and a minority PoliticalParty. • The Majority =more members of a political party (R or D) • This can change every 2 years with the elections • The Minority=fewer members of a political party (R or D) • This can change every 2 years with the elections

6. 1 Building: Capital Building 2 Houses: H of R – and - Senate 2 Parties: Dem or Rep

7. SENATE Two from each State the “Upper House “ 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election every 2 years –promotes stability & Continuity

8. 116 Congress (2019) Senate: Majority Party: Republican(53 seats) Minority Party:  Democrat (45 seats) Other Parties: 1 Independents (Caucus with the Democrats) 1 Replace Mr. McCain Total Seats: 100 Elections: 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election every 2 years, this promotes stability & continuity

9. Vice President of the United States Only votes in the Senate in case of a tie First in line for Presidency Former Governor from Indiana “President of the Senate”VP Michael Pence (R)

10. Senate Republican Majority Leaders

11. President ProTempore Chuck Grassley Republican Iowa Speaks for the Senate, handles leadership roles Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Republican Kentucky Handles day-to-day leadership, scheduling and executive business of the Senate Majority Whip- John Thune (R) SD helps the Majority Leader to organize voting

12. Minority Leader Charles Schumer (Democrat) New York – also known as Floor Leader. Handles day-to-day leadership, scheduling and executive business of the Senate- for the Democratic party Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D) IL helps the Minority Leader to organize voting SENATE MINORITY LEADERSHIP

13. House of Representatives Based on Population “Lower House”

14. 435 Representatives • Party Divisions • 235 Democrats – Majority Party • 199 Republicans– Minority Party • 435 Members (This is “Capped”)

15. House of Representatives Democratic Majority Leaders

16. Speaker of the House – Leads the House of Representatives and is a member of the majority party. Second in line for the Presidency. Nancy Pelosi (D) CA 55th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives • First elected to Congress in 1987, she is the only woman to have served as speaker, and is the highest-ranking elected woman in United States history. • Pelosi is second in the presidential line of succession, immediately after the vice president.

17. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D) MD Develops the issues and policies that form the Democratic agenda. Sets the legislative schedule by selecting which bills the House will consider and the timing of their consideration. Sets the Calendar HOUSE MAJORITY LEADERSHIP

18. House Minority Leader • Kevin Mc Carthy (R) CA • Represents Republicans in the House • Leads the Minority Party. Presently that is the Republican Party.

19. “Congress” or the Legislative Branch and the Electoral College • Senate=100 + Representatives = 435 • Total Legislative group = 535 The “Electoral College”, is the group that has the final say on who is elected President. • The members of Congress (535) and the Electoral College are the same people. • Washington DC gets 3 people in the Electoral College • Electoral College =538 people

20. 535 + 3 = 538538 / 2 = 270 • So, the 2 Senators and the Representatives, (at least 1) for every state are the members of Congress AND the Electoral College. • Washington DC gets 3 people in the Electoral College • During a Presidential Election, the votes are counted by each state, plus Washington DC. • To win the Presidential election the candidate must get 270 Electoral College votes

21. Every new bill gets letters and a number to identify it. If the bill started in the House of Representatives it will be “HR Bill #______. If it started in the Senate it will be “S Bill#______. Every single “Bill” or piece of legislation introduced in Congress goes to a committee. It is the Committees that decides if the bill will goes to the floor for a vote. (the floor= place to vote) Committees can.. - pass it - kill it - pigeon hole it - Let it sit for 10-days and it will pass. Congressional Committees- this is where the power is…

22. Types of Committees • Standing – Permanent committee that specializes in one topic – ex. Appropriations = Money • Subcommittees – Smaller committees within a standing committee • Select – Temporary committee to deal with issues needing special attention • Joint Committees- includes members of both houses • Conference Committees – works out the language of a proposed bill or law.

23. Miscellaneous Committee Information • Committee Chairperson is usually a member of the majority party • Membership of committee is a representative ratio of Senate or House • Seniority System determines who get the best or most important committee assignments.

25. Average Age • The average age of Senators in August of the 116th Congress was 61.5 • The average age of the Representatives at the beginning of the 116th Congress was 56.7 116th Congress is more diverse, younger and has more women than ever before…

26. Ethnicity/Gender of 116 Congress • African American 54 • American Indian 4 • Asian/Asian Pacific 15 • Non-Hispanic/Caucasian 319 • Hispanic 42 • Women 131

27. 7 MOST POPULAR RELIGIONS • Protestant • Catholic • Jewish • Buddhist • Muslim • Hindu

28. Other Characteristics • Most common professions were public service/politics, business, and law. • Most have college degrees • Some have only a high school diploma • Most were born in the State that elects them • Many are not independently wealthy and depend on their salaries • Nearly 1/3 of Senators were once House members

29. Compensation - Salary • Congressmen/women - $174,000 per year. • The Majority and Minority Leaders in both the House and Senate and the President pro tempore of the Senate earn $193,400 • The Speaker of the House earns $223,500.

30. Compensation – Non-salary • Special tax exemption for maintaining two houses • Hospitalization, life, and health insurance • Retirement pay • Provide both office and budget funds for staff • Franking privilege: Mailing is free • Free printing • Free parking • Gymnasiums

31. Limits on Congressional Pay? • Presidential veto • Voter fallout (we get mad!) • Twenty-seventhAmendment says no increase can take place until the next session of Congress • The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 set a pay raise equal to what other government employees were getting unless Congress voted against it

32. Free Speech Privilege • Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 • Congressmen/women can feel free to speak their mind without fear • This extends to anything said in the House or Senate or in committee • Protects legislative debate • They can not defame or lie about another member