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Structure of Congress – Goal 2 – Ch 6

Learn about the structure of Congress, established by the Great Compromise as a bicameral body with the Senate and House of Representatives. Discover how representatives are allocated based on population, the terms and sessions of Congress, and the role of committees.

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Structure of Congress – Goal 2 – Ch 6

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  1. Structure of Congress – Goal 2 – Ch 6

  2. A Bicameral Legislature • The Great Compromise established Congress as a two-part or bicameral body The US Capital Building -- Capital Hill, Washington DC

  3. A Bicameral Legislature • In the Upper House (US Senate) each state would have an equal number of representatives (two), in the lower house (House of Representatives) each state’s population would determine representation (NC-13)

  4. A Bicameral Legislature • The legislative branch is described in Article I of the Constitution and our Congress includes 535 members (435-HOR; 100-S)

  5. Terms of Congress • Each term of Congress lasts 2 years and starts on January 3rd of odd-numbered years, each “new” Congress is given a number to identify its two-year term

  6. Terms of Congress • Each term is divided into two sessions; Congress may meet during special sessions or in times of crisis, a joint session occurs when the House and Senate meet together Example: State of the Union Address – Given every January to Congress (joint session)

  7. The House of Representatives • The House of Representatives has 435 voting members allotted according to population, the Constitution guarantees each state at least one representative

  8. The House of Representatives • After each 10-year census Congress adjusts the number given to each state, they serve 2 year terms and focus on the concerns of their districts [represent their district]

  9. The House of Representatives • State legislatures draw boundaries so districts include roughly the same number of constituents, or people represented

  10. The House of Representatives • Sometimes states abuse this process by gerrymandering, a gerrymanderis an oddly shaped district designated to increase the voting strength of a particular group (ILLEGAL)

  11. The Senate • The Senate has 100 members, 2 from each of the 50 states; each senator represents the entire state, they serve 6 year terms • Elections are staggered so no more than one-third are up for reelection at any one time; this ensures a certain amount of stability and continuity • US Senators from NC (1) (2)

  12. Leaders in Congress • In the House and Senate the political party to which more than half the members belong is known as the majority party the other party is called the minority party Democrats- minority party Republicans- majority party

  13. Leaders in Congress • The leader of the House of Representatives is known as the Speaker of the House, the Speaker steers legislation through the House and leads floor debates; if anything happens to the President and VP the Speaker is next in line to become President

  14. Leaders in Congress • The Vice President presides in the Senate but only votes to break a tie; the President Pro Tempore acts as chairperson for the Senate VP Mike Pence (R)- President of the Senate Seantor-Orrin G. Hatch (R)

  15. Leaders in Congress • Other powerful leaders are the majority and minority floor leaders in each house, they speak for their parties on issues; Party Whips help the floor leaders, they make sure legislators are present for key votes

  16. Committee Work • Each house must consider thousands of bills, or proposed laws, in the course of a session; to make it possible to handle so many bills each house developed a system of committees • Congress has three types of committees: standingcommittees, select committees, and joint committees

  17. Committee Work • Standing Committees= are permanent committees (ex: recommend bills, funding) • Select Committees are temporary committees that deal with special issues, they meet for a limited time until they complete their assigned task (example: committee on aging) • Joint Committeesinclude members of both houses, they meet to consider specific issues (ex: committee on taxes)

  18. Committee Assignments • Party leaders make committee assignments, they consider members’ preferences, expertise, and loyalty to the party; another key factor is seniority or years of service • The longest-serving committee member from the majority party traditionally becomes chairperson; they decide when and if a committee meets, what bills are studied, and who will serve on which subcommittee

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