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The US Congress. Chapters 10 & 12. US Congress- What is the purpose of Congress? What does Bicameral mean?. T he primary duty of Congress is to write, debate, and pass bills. The north wing (left) houses the Senate, while the south wing (right) houses the House of Representatives.
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The US Congress Chapters 10 & 12
US Congress- What is the purpose of Congress? What does Bicameral mean? The primary duty of Congress is to write, debate, and pass bills. The north wing (left) houses the Senate, while the south wing (right) houses the House of Representatives.
Historic & practical reasons for bicameral Congress. British Parliament; idea from Britain. Constitution Convention- Compromise
113 Congress; as of 2012 Election Which party controls the House & Senate?
Congress & Sessions • Sessions- when congress assembles and conducts business of making laws. (One Year) • Convenes – when they begin work in a session • Adjourns – suspends work during a session • Recess – short breaks during a session • Special Session – called by President – emergency • 27 in history – Truman’s in 1948 last one
Congress & Sessions & Terms Recess when Congress takes a break! Congressmen can be elected over and over again…..
Elections Every 2 years- Even years All 435 House members; election every 2 years Elections fall on even years!
Congressional Elections Must use a voting booth 1st Tuesday after the first Monday in November
Every 2 years all 435 House Members are up for election! There are many districts in the U.S., states with high populations have more districts.
In PA, All 18 Districts have one representative, each one is up for re-election every two years. Single Member District; each of the 18 districts elects/votes for one representative. Media, PA is in the 7th District.
Media, PA- One Rep & Two SenatorsSingle- Member District Rep. Patrick Meehan Republican Two Senator: Bob Casey & Pat Tomey
Compensation- Senators & Representatives • Salary - $174,000 year • Speaker - $223,500; VP – $227,300; floor leaders - $193,400 • “fringe benefits” – special tax deduction for 2 residences • Travel allowances, life & health insurances, pension plan plus Social Security & Medicare • Offices – given one in DC, allowance for ones at home • Franking privilege – signature in place of stamps • Restaurants & gym, parking in DC & at airport
How can Congressional districts change over time? Several ways congressional districts change Re-appropriation after a census Gerrymandering
Reapportionment Act of 1929 – set 435 as permanent number of Reps!
Gerrymandering- 2 main reasons! • Gerrymandering – drawn to the advantage of the political party that controls the state legislature. • 1 – concentrate the opposition in as few districts as possible – “packing” • 2 – spread the opposition as thinly as possible – “cracking” • Sometimes “kidnapping” – redraw lines to move an incumbent into a district less likely to be reelected
10.4 - Personal & Political Background • Most are white men in their 50s • Growing #s of women, minorities • Most are married with kids and have a religious affiliation • Most are lawyers &/or have advanced degrees • Most are born in the states they represent • Most have political experience • Most are upper-middle class • **is NOT an accurate cross section of American society
How can Congressmen vote… • Lawmakers can represent the people as they vote… • Delegates – discover “what the folks back home” think and votes the way the people in their district would want • Trustees – call issues as they see it using/merits of the issue- their own judgment – can ignore constituents • Partisans – votes the way their party votes, even if against will of people in their district • Politicos – try to combine all three when deciding how to vote.
