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Respond to the following quote:

Explore the legislative branch of the U.S. government, Congress, which is bicameral, comprising the Senate and House of Representatives. Learn about its functions, representation demographics, electoral process, redistricting, and significance in the democratic system.

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Respond to the following quote:

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  1. Respond to the following quote: “Though the President is Commander in Chief, Congress is his commander… this is not a Government of kings…,but a Government of the People, and … Congress is the people”

  2. The Legislative Branch Chapter 10 Unit 3

  3. http://congress.indiana.edu/scripts/facts_of_congress/house_of_reps.htmlhttp://congress.indiana.edu/scripts/facts_of_congress/house_of_reps.html

  4. 3 branches of Government

  5. Legislative Branch • Congress is Bicameral • Two Separate Houses • Senate and House of Representatives • Law-making branch of government • Created by Article I of the Constitution • Currently in 110th Congress • January 4, 2007- January 3, 2009 • Sessions of Congress • Period in which Congress conducts businesses

  6. Legislative Branch • Older, better educated, more white, more male, and richer than the rest of the United States. In the 110th Congress • Average age of both House Members is 57 • 42 African-Americans in the House • There are 30 Hispanics • Seven Members of the House and Senate are of Asian or Native Hawaiian ancestry • There is one Native American in the House • Total number of women is 90 • There are 16 in the Senate and 74 in the House,

  7. House of Representatives Qualifications- written in constitution • 25 Years of Age • Must live in State • 7 Year US Citizen Unwritten Qualification • Must live within district

  8. House of Representatives Size • Current size of House of Representatives is 435 members • Each state is guaranteed at least 1 Representative • Only 1 Representative • Alaska, Delaware, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming • Washington D.C., Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico

  9. House of Representatives Terms • Representatives are elected every 2 years • No constitutional limit on the number of terms

  10. House of Representatives Elections • Every 2 years • Single Member Districts • Off year elections • Party in power usually loses seats • Incumbents carry huge advantage • 75-85% Re-Election Rate • Why??

  11. House of Representatives Elections • Connections to interest groups, corporations, PACs • Pork-barrel politics • More campaign $ • Name Recognition • Franking Privileges

  12. House of Representatives Reapportionment • Redistribute seats every 10 years based on population • Reappointment Act of 1929 • Permanent Size = 435 • Following each census, Census Bureau sets number of seats for each state • President sends Bureau’s plan to Congress • Congress approves and send to state legislatures to draw new lines if necessary

  13. As of the 2000 census: • Average population per district: 646,946 people • State with the most districts: California (53) • District with the greatest area: Alaska At-large • District with the smallest area: New York's 15th • District with the most people: Montana At-large (905,316) • District with the fewest people: Wyoming At-large (495,304) • Oldest district: Delaware At-large (Same geographical borders since 1789) • http://congress.indiana.edu/scripts/facts_of_congress/representative_numbers.html

  14. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois%27_10th_congressional_districthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois%27_10th_congressional_district

  15. House of Representatives Districts Redistricting • Contiguous Territory • Equal number of inhabitants • Compact Territory • Techniques can concentrate opposition votes into one district or divide and conquer • Has significant impact on membership

  16. http://www.house.gove/kirk/district.shtml

  17. Chicagoland

  18. Gerrymandering District lines redrawn in favor of a political party or racial group Elbridge Gerry MA House of Representatives

  19. The Senate Chapter 10 Section 3

  20. http://congress.indiana.edu/scripts/facts_of_congress/the_senate.htmlhttp://congress.indiana.edu/scripts/facts_of_congress/the_senate.html

  21. Senate Size • Constitution Sets number at 2 per state (100 Senators) • Represent a larger, more diverse population (constituents) Illinois Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=IL

  22. Senate Election: • 17th Amendment- voters decide senator, prior to this senators were chosen by state legislators • Only one Senator is elected per election Term: • 6 year term • No term limit • Terms are staggered • Continuous Body • All seats are never given up for election at the same time • Only 1/3 expire (33 or 34)

  23. http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/e_one_section_no_teasers/org_chart.htmhttp://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/e_one_section_no_teasers/org_chart.htm

  24. Senate Qualifications: • Higher requirements then House • At least 30 years of age • Must have been citizen of US for 9 years • Must be inhabitant of the State from which they are elected

  25. Leadership • http://congress.indiana.edu/scripts/facts_of_congress/congressional_leaders.html

  26. http://congress.indiana.edu/learn_about/launcher.htm Does Congress affect your life?? • http://congress.indiana.edu/learn_about/launcher.htm

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