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Organization of Congress

Organization of Congress. What is a Bicameral Legislature?. Bicameral - a lawmaking body of 2 houses The upper house is the Senate . The lower house is the House of Representatives . Reasons for a Bicameral Legislature

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Organization of Congress

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  1. Organization of Congress

  2. What is a Bicameral Legislature? • Bicameral- a lawmaking body of 2 houses • The upper house is the Senate. • The lower house is the House of Representatives. • Reasons for a Bicameral Legislature - Other countries had been successful with this ……..type of legislature before - The Great Compromise at the Constitutional ……..Convention - Article I– establishes the legislative branch

  3. Terms of Congress • Each term of Congress begins Jan. 3rd -oddnumbered years • Each term lasts two years • Each Congress is given a number - Example: 2007  110th session of Congress • Each term of Congress is divided into 2 sessions - Sessions run from Jan.-November - Can also meet during crisis (9/11) • A joint session is when House & Senate both meet

  4. House of Representatives • Has 435 members • Larger body of Congress • Representation is based on the populationof ..each state. • One representative for every 800,000 people. • A member of the House serves a 2-year term//with an unlimited number of terms. • Each state guaranteed at least 1 rep. • State representation based on 10 yr. census

  5. Cabarrus County’s Representation • North Carolina has 13members in the House of .Representatives. With each serving a Congressional /District in the State • Districts are supposed to be drawn equally - reflect same # of constituents (people) - sometimes there not (gerrymandering)

  6. Our Representative • Your representative is Richard Hudsonfrom North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District.

  7. Gerrymandering- is the process of drawing a Congressional district with a preconceived result in mind. The Supreme Court has ruled gerrymandering unconstitutional. The district must then be redrawn. The 12th district in NC had to be redrawn in 2002.

  8. Is this gerrymandering?

  9. Qualifications House of Representatives: • You must be25years old. • You must be a citizen of the US for at .least 7 years. • You must live in the district you .represent.

  10. Benefits for Congressmen • Representatives have a yearly salary of $174,000dollars. • Other benefits: free parking, free mail (Franking privilege), a travel allowance, free treatments in V.A. hospitals, and recreation activities.

  11. Speaker of the House • The presiding officer is the Speakerof the .House • Leads floor debates • 3rd person in line (President) • Annual salary is $223,500 • Conducts impeachment process • Appoints representatives to special committees • Signs all bills passed by House

  12. Powers of the House • The House impeaches federal officials. • All revenue bills(money) must begin in the House • They choose the President if a candidate does not reach 270 electoral votes

  13. The US Senate • There are 100members, 2 from each state • Senators serve a 6 year term, without term .limits. • Must be at least 30 yrs. old • Citizen of U.S. for 9yrs. • Resident of state representing • Salary=$174,000/yr. • Same benefits as House members

  14. Officers of the Senate • The leader of the Senate: is the Vice- President. • Currently the Vice-President is Mike Pence • The Vice-President is not a regular member of the .Senate, but can break a tie if necessary. • The President pro-temporehandles the everyday .business of the Senate. The president pro-tempore .is the most senior member of the majority party. • Currently the president pro-tempore is Orrin Hatch.

  15. Party Leadership in Senate • The minority leader is Chuck .Schumer a Democrat. • The majority leader is Mitch .McConnell a Republican. • They have the same duties as the .party leaders in the House.

  16. North Carolina Senators • In NC we are represented by: • Richard Burr • Thom Tillis

  17. Special Powers of the Senate • The impeachment trial is held in the Senate. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court conducts the trial. 2/3 votes are needed by the Senate to remove a federal official from office (67). • Approves all treaties. • Confirms all Presidential nominations to office

  18. Party Leadership • Whip - is the assistant or “strong man” for the party floor leader. • Thefloorleader is in charge of .their party’s operations in the .House. • Floor Leaders get paid $193,400.dollars a year.

  19. Committees • Standing Committee- Permanent committees of .Congress. • Select Committees- Presidential committees .made for a special issue. • Joint Committees- committees of both houses of .Congress. • ConferenceCommittees- committees to work out .a compromise bill. • Seniority: People who served longest in Congress .get preferred committee jobs

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