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Congress

Congress. Chapter 6 Sections 1 and 3. Congress Video. Legislative Branch. Article I of the Constitution Makes laws Bicameral (2 houses) House of Representatives Membership based on a state’s population 435 total members Senate 2 members from each state 100 total members.

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Congress

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  1. Congress Chapter 6 Sections 1 and 3

  2. Congress Video

  3. Legislative Branch • Article I of the Constitution • Makes laws • Bicameral (2 houses) • House of Representatives • Membership based on a state’s population • 435 total members • Senate • 2 members from each state • 100 total members

  4. Qualifications • House of Representatives • At least 25 years old • Live in the state you represent • Some states say you must live in that district too • Most states you must live there a year before the election • Been a US citizen for at least 7 years • Senate • At least 30 years old • Live in the state you represent • Most states you must live there a year before the election (Former Sen. Elizabeth Dole) • Been a US citizen for at least 9 years

  5. Privileges for HoR and Senate • Salary- $165,200 a year • Free office space/parking • Free trips to home state • Franking Privilege- can send job related mail without paying for stamps • Low cost health insurance • Use of special facilities: gyms, restaurants, medical clinics, etc. • Immunity (legal protection) in certain situations

  6. Congressional Leadership • Majority Party- more than ½ members of HofR/Senate belong to the political party • Minority Party- less than ½ the members of HofR/Senate belong to the political party • Floor Leaders • Majority Floor Leader- chosen as leader by the majority political party • Minority Floor Leader- chosen as leader by the minority political party • Whips • Majority Whip- helps pass legislation for Majority Floor Leader • Minority Whip- helps pass legislation for Minority Floor Leader

  7. House of Representatives Leadership • Speaker of the House- leader of the HoR, chosen by members of the majority party • Has a GREAT amount of power! • Steers legislation through the HoR • Leads floor debates • Next in line if Pres and VP die • John Boehner • Republican

  8. Senate Leadership • Vice President of the US is President of the Senate • Technical leader, but doesn’t do much • Only votes in case of a tie • President Pro Tempore- leader of the Senate, chosen by members of the majority party • Day to day leader of the Senate • Not as powerful as Speaker of the House • Daniel Inouye • Democrat • Hawaii

  9. Committees • Congress must consider thousands of bills during a yearlong session • To make it possible for so many bills to pass, Congress has committees • Standing Committees- permanent committees always in Congress • Ex: Agriculture, Budget, Transportation • Special Committees- formed for a limited amount of time to deal with special issues • Ex: Security, Terrorism, Gulf Oil Spill • Joint Committees- formed with members from both HoR and Senate • Ex: Taxation

  10. Differences Video

  11. Congress At Work • Representing Constituents • Acting on their interest and concerns in Washington • Bring federal government projects and money to their district • Pork Barrel Projects- government projects/grants that primarily benefit their home district • Lawmaking • Passing legislation/laws • Casework • If necessary, help constituents solve problems with the federal government

  12. House of Representatives Video

  13. Membership • 435 members • Membership based on a state’s population • Each state is guaranteed at least 1 member • Serve 2 year terms before up for reelection • Membership adjusted for states every 10 years • Census- official population count every 10 years

  14. Districts • Members represent people from their district in their home state • Constituents- people represented • NC has 13 districts • NC had 12 districts– but gained a new district with the 2000 census • Had to make a new district so they made the 13th district with Greensboro, Northern NC, and Raleigh (since these areas had the highest gains in population which added the new seat)

  15. Gerrymander • Gerrymander- nickname given to an oddly shaped district • Gerrymander is not suppose to happen, and there are laws to prevent it • Why would people want to create odd shaped districts?

  16. GA Districts

  17. 12 District- John Barrow

  18. Senate Video

  19. Membership • 100 members • 2 from each state • Serve for 6 year terms before up for reelection • Senator elections are staggered • 1/3 of all Senators are up for reelection every 2 years • Governor appoints a fill in if a Senator dies/resigns

  20. GA Senators Both are all GA resident’s Senators- equally Saxby Chambliss(Republican) Johnny Isakson (Republican)

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