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The Structure of Congress Chapter 5.1

Discover the inner workings of the U.S. Congress, from gerrymandering to committee roles. Learn about House and Senate memberships, terms, and leadership positions in this insightful overview.

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The Structure of Congress Chapter 5.1

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  1. The Structure of Congress Chapter 5.1

  2. AM Take out your homework and write your name on a note card. • Answer the following questions using your notes. Review. 1. There are ____ members of the House of Reps 2. Define gerrymandering 3. Senators are elected every ____ years 4. What does the president pro tempore do? 5. What is a joint committee?

  3. PM: Take out your homework and write your name on a note card. • How many members are in the House? • Define gerrymandering. • A Senate member serves _____ years. • If the vice-president can’t preside over the Senate, who does? • What is a select committee?

  4. PM8: Take out your homework and write your name on a note card. • How many members are in the Senate and House together? • Define gerrymandering. • A House member serves _____ years. • If the vice-president can’t preside over the Senate, who does? • What is a select committee?

  5. Each congress lasts for a term of two years It’s numbered to identify its two-year term – now we are in the 113th Congress It’s further divided into 2 sessions each lasting 6 months Terms and Sessions

  6. House of Representatives - 435 • 435 Members • 2 year term – no term limits • Divided among the 50 states based on representation • Government uses the U.S. Census to determine population – every 10 yrs • Each state is divided into congressional districts • They represent constituents (us!) • There are 6 nonvoting members from territories and Washington DC.

  7. Gerrymandering • When state law makers draw districts that benefit one political party

  8. Senate • 100 members • 6 year term • Elections are staggered so no more than 1/3 of the senate is running at a time. • If a senator dies, the state governor fills the position or calls a special election

  9. HOUSE Speaker of the House – guides bills, leads debates, the “face” of the House Majority Whip – ass’t House Minority Leader Minority Whip – ass’t SENATE Vice President - presiding officer, tie-breaker President Pro Tempore – presides over when the vice president is not there Senate Majority Leader Senate Minority Leader Congressional Leadership

  10. Committees • Standing – they focus on specific areas of government work: Homeland Security, Judiciary, Education • Select – temporary committees to work with special issues: disaster relief • Joint Committee – Members from both houses that work together on a special issue: rewriting the tax code

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