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Congress- Congressional Membership Ch.5 sect.1

Congress- Congressional Membership Ch.5 sect.1 . U.S. Government- 2013. Quick Write. What do you know about Congress? List 3 things:. Define 3 Key Terms. Bicameral legislature Session Census Reapportionment Redistrict Gerrymander At-large Censure Incumbent.

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Congress- Congressional Membership Ch.5 sect.1

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  1. Congress-Congressional MembershipCh.5 sect.1 U.S. Government- 2013

  2. Quick Write What do you know about Congress? List 3 things:

  3. Define 3 Key Terms Bicameral legislature Session Census Reapportionment Redistrict Gerrymander At-large Censure Incumbent

  4. Capitol Building- Washington D.C.

  5. Congressional Sessions • Each Term starts on January 3 of odd-numbered years and lasts 2 years. • Each term is divided into two sessions (meetings); a session = 1 year • Congress remains in session until its members vote to adjourn. • If Congress is adjourned, the president may call it back for a special session.

  6. Congressional Meeting

  7. Congressional Meeting

  8. Membership of the House 435 Members- Based on Population A. Members must be: 1. 25+ years old 2. U.S. citizens 7+ years 3. Residents of the state they represent B. House members serve 2-year terms

  9. Membership of the House C. The number of state representatives is apportioned according to the census every 10 years (2000, 2010, 2020, etc.) D. Congressional districts are determined by state legislatures E. One representative from each district represents approx. 750,000 people California has 53 representatives (largest)

  10. Congressional Reapportionment and Redistricting After the 10 year Census is taken (2000, 2010, 2020, etc.) the number of Representatives may be reapportioned to account for changes in population Reapportionment after 2012 Census State legislatures then sets the new districts Some states abuse this power in two ways 1. Districts with very unequal population 2. Gerrymandering (ruling political parties redraw boundaries to gain electoral advantages)

  11. Membership of the Senate A. Members must be: 1. 30+ years old 2. U.S. citizens 9+ years 3. Residents of the state they represent B. Senate members serve 6-year terms C. Each state elects 2 senators 100 Senators

  12. Vice President = Senate President • VP Joe Biden • Presides over the Senate • Cannot partake in Senate debates • Votes only in a tie

  13. Congressional Salary and Benefits A. Financial benefits: 1. Set their members’ salaries 2. Allowances for office, staff and business trips 3. Tax breaks for two residences (D.C. & home state) 4. Sizable retirement pensions 5. Franking privilege: paid postage for business mail B. Immunity from arrest in: 1. Non-felony or non-treason cases 2. Anything they say on the House or Senate Floor C. Both houses can censure or even expel members Censure: vote of formal disapproval of a member’s actions

  14. Members of Congress-Characteristics • Almost half of members are lawyers • Most come from business, banking, and education • Most members of Congress win reelection • Incumbents (members already in office) • Incumbents are successful in reelections because they find it easier to raise campaign funds (PAC’S- Political Action Committees) • Incumbents also may represent districts that have been gerrymandered in their party’s favor.

  15. Reflection Think about the key characteristics and qualifications of the members of Congress. Do you think there should be other qualifications to run for a House or Senate seat?

  16. Ch. 5 Section 2 & 3 The House of Representatives & The Senate

  17. The House of Representatives • The House has very complex, strict rules • Ex: Speakers are limited to 5 minutes • Leaders in the House of Reps can make decisions about legislative work without consulting other House members.

  18. The House of Representatives • Committee Work: • Committees do most of the work of Congress • Most important in the House of Reps than in Senate • They help ease the workload and are key power centers. • In Committees, Representatives can specialize in a few issues that are important to their constituents (people they represent)

  19. The House of Representatives • Party Affliliation: • In each House, the party with the larger number of members (majority party) selects the leaders, controls flow of legislative work, and appoints committee chairs. • Majority party organizes the House

  20. The House of Representatives • Speaker of the House: • Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives • A caucus (closed meeting) of the majority party chooses speaker. • Next to v.p. in line of succession to presidency • Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker. • First woman speaker • From California • John Boehner, current Speaker (113th Congress) • Representative from Ohiorom California

  21. The House of RepresentativeHouse Floor Leaders • Majority Leader • Helps plan legislative program, steer important bills • 113th Congress: Eric Cantor • Democratic Leader • 113th Congress: Nancy Pelosi

  22. Lawmaking in the House Law starts as a bill (bill = proposed law) Only about 10-20 % of bills ever go to the full House for a vote House Rules Committee: serves as “traffic officer” helps direct flow of major legislation

  23. The Senate • Rules are more flexible • Senate has no speaker, but they have a Senate President • Have power to break a tie vote • 113th Congress Senate President: • Joe Biden

  24. The Senate Majority and Minority Leaders are the most important officers in the Senate They are elected by members of their political parties. They keep their party members working together. 113th Congress: Majority party is the Democratic Party; minority= republican

  25. Senate Bills Any member of Senate may introduce a Bill (more informal) Senate leaders control the flow of bills Senate allows unlimited debate on a bill so one way to defeat a bill is to filibuster against it. Filibuster: to keep talking until a majority of the Senate either abandons the bill or agrees to modify it. Filibuster can be stopped if 3/5 of the Senate (60) votes for cloture(only 1 hour allowed for each senator) Filibuster not as effective now

  26. Political Action Committees Political Action Committee (PAC) an organization that raise money privately to influence elections or legislation. Leadership PAC: money coming from a leadership PAC is not limited. They can fund travel, administrative expenses, polling, and non-campaign expenses. Super PAC: you can have no direct contact with candidate. No legal limit on donation size. Campaign Finance Reform- Article: Debate whether there should be limits on individual and corporation contributions to campaigns.

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