Congress

1. Congress • A Bicameral Congress • Historical Reasoning – The Framers chose to create a bicameral legislature because that is what they were familiar with in their dealings with Great Britain • Practical Reasoning – A two chamber body was created to settle the controversy between the Virginia and New Jersey Plan • Theoretical Reasoning – One house would serve as a check to the other.

2. Terms and Sessions • Each term of Congress lasts two years. • The term begins at noon on January 3rd • January 3, 2009 marked the beginning of the 110th Congress • Each term consists of two sessions, created by the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution • Congress adjourns whenever it sees fit, usually when all work is done. However, one house cannot adjourn without the consent of the other. • The president has the power to adjourn Congress, or prorogue, but only when the two houses cannot agree on a date for adjournment

3. Special Sessions • The president may also call Congress into a special session when emergency situations arise and Congress is not in session. • Only 26 special sessions have ever been called. • The president can call Congress or either house into session. The Senate has been called 46 times, mostly to deal with treaties or presidential appointments.

4. The House of Representatives • The HoR has 435 members, these members are apportioned among the states on the basis of their respective populations. • Each state is guaranteed at least one seat. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming. • Representatives are elected for two-year terms, and face no term limits.

5. Reapportionment • Congress redistributes seats every 10 years. States may gain or lose seats, but seats CANNOT be added to the HoR. • Reapportionment Act of 1929 • The permanent size of the House is 435 members. • Following each census, the Census Bureau is to determine the number of seats each state should have • When the Bureau’s plan is ready, the President must send it to Congress • If, within 60 days of receiving it, neither house rejects the Census Bureau’s plan, it becomes effective.

6. Congressional Elections • Congressional elections are held on the first Tuesday in November during even-numbered years. • Generally during off-year elections, the President’s party loses seats in the House • Under the single-member district arrangement, the voters in each district elect one of the state’s representatives from among a field of candidates running for a seat in the House from that district.

7. Congressional Districts • State legislatures are responsible for drawing district lines for their states. • Each district must be made up of “contiguous territory, contain nearly the same number of inhabitants, and be a comparatively small territory.

8. Gerrymandering • Gerrymandering is the process of drawing district lines to the advantage of the political party that controls the legislature. • The term comes from 1812 when Gov. Elbridge Gerry drew district lines to favor his party. The districts were said to look like salamanders. • Reasons for gerrymandering • To concentrate the oppositions voters in one or a few districts • To spread the opposition as thinly as possible among several districts.

9. Gerrymandering Cases • Wesberry v. Sanders – the court ruled that state drawn district lines in Georgia violated the Constitution because population differences were too great and the “one person, one vote” rule was being violated. • Gomillion v. Lightfoot – gerrymandering on the basis of race is illegal • Bush v. Vera – districts designed to specifically include a majority of minorities are illegal • Hunt v. Cromartie – while race cannot be the controlling factor in drawing district lines, it can be considered.

10. Qualification of House Members • Members of the House of Representatives must: • Be at least 25 years old • Must have been a citizen of the U.S. for at least 7 years • Must be an inhabitant of the state from which he or she is elected.

11. The Senate • The Constitution states that each state will be represented by 2 senators from each state • Originally, U.S. senators were elected by state legislators, not by direct popular vote. • This led to various accusations of bribery and favoritism. • The 17th Amendment changed the way senators are selected. • Now, states hold at-large elections were a direct popular vote is taken state-wide.

12. Terms and Qualifications • Senators are elected for 6-year terms • Every two years, one-third of the Senate is up for reelection. • The Senate is considered a continuous body because all of its seats are never up for reelection at the same time. • A Senator must: • Be at least 30 years old • Have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years • Must be an inhabitant of the state from which he or she is elected

13. Members of Congress • Congressmen play 5 roles • Legislator • Representative • Committee member • Public servant • Politican • As legislators, Congressmen have four voting options • Trustee – is entrusted by the people to make the best decisions possible • Delegate – believe they should vote how the people that elected them would want them to vote • Partisan – votes how his party wants him to vote • Politico – attempts to balance the trustee, delegate and partisan role.

14. Congressional Oversight • A vital function of a Congressman’s committee membership is oversight. • Oversight is the process by which Congress checks to see that various agencies in the executive branch are working effectively and acting in line with policies that Congress has set by law.

15. Compensation • Congressmen today make $150,000/year. • Some members in leadership positions can make up to $187,000. • Congress can set their own salary, but are often reluctant to do so. • Members also receive “fringe benefits.” • Tax deductions for owning two homes • Travel allowances • Life and health insurance • Medical care • Generous retirement plans • Office space and staff expenses • Franking privilege – the use of free mail service. Very valuable when a Congressman is running for reelection.