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Structure of Congress

Structure of Congress. 1. Why is Congress made up of a House of Representatives and Senate? 2. Constitution provided for a bicameral legislature 3. House of Reps- population; Senate- equal representation 535 Members Total 435-House 100-Senate. Structure of Congress.

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Structure of Congress

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  1. Structure of Congress • 1. Why is Congress made up of a House of Representatives and Senate? • 2. Constitution provided for a bicameral legislature • 3. House of Reps- population; Senate- equal representation • 535 Members Total • 435-House • 100-Senate

  2. Structure of Congress • 5.Gov’t calendar set by law and lasts every 2 years • 6. New Congress starts on Jan. 3rd of odd years and is numbered to identify the term(113thcurrently in session) • 7. Each Congress is divided into 2 sessions lasting from Jan. to Nov/Dec. • 8. Joint Session- House and Senate meet together for business or speech

  3. House of Representatives • 9. Representation is determined by census or population count (p.159) • 10. Adjustments can be made to reps if necessary- apportionment • 11. Each state has congressional districts- one rep per district • 12. Constituents- people represented • 13. Gerrymandering- an oddly shaped district that favor a particular group

  4. Senate and Leadership • 14. 100 members, 2 from each state, serve 6 year terms; elections staggered (every 2 yrs) • 15. Replacing deceased senators varies by states (appointment or special election) • 16. Majority Party- more than 50% from same group • 17. Minority Party- less than 50% from same group • 18. Each party has a leader that speaks for the party • 19. Whips- assistant leaders that try to sway votes

  5. Top Leadership House of Representatives Senate • 20. House Speaker- presiding officer- from majority party- represents House at caucus- closed meeting • 21. Powers of Speaker: • Presides • Guides legislation • Next person in line for presidency after VP • 22. Vice President- presiding officer of Senate- runs sessions, keeps order • 23. Speaker of the House can vote on legislation, VP can only vote in the case of a tie • 24. President Pro Tempore- temporary officer who steps in for VP- most senior member- next in line for presidency after Speaker

  6. Committee System • 25. Committees set up to better handle all the proposed laws • 26. Committee Types: • Standing Committees- permanent/ used each term • Select Committees- temporary to deal with special issues • Joint Committees- members from both houses serve on it • 27. Members want to get on committees that effect their constituents • 28. Party leaders choose committees and use seniority as a key factor • 29. Longest serving member becomes chair of committee • 30. Seniority Systems have positive and negative aspects

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