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The Organization of Congress

The Organization of Congress. Bicameral Legislature. Congressional Terms and Sessions. Term = Two Years Term = Two Sessions Numbered by Term 1 st Congress 111 th Congress. Membership in the House. 435 Members Qualifications 25 years old Citizen of U.S. for 7 years

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The Organization of Congress

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  1. The Organization of Congress

  2. Bicameral Legislature

  3. Congressional Terms and Sessions • Term = Two Years • Term = Two Sessions • Numbered by Term • 1st Congress • 111th Congress

  4. Membership in the House • 435 Members • Qualifications • 25 years old • Citizen of U.S. for 7 years • Legal resident of state where elected • Term of Office • 2 years • Elections in even numbered years

  5. Membership in the House • Representation • Based on population of state • Census every 10 years • Reapportionment • 435 seats • Redistricting • State legislatures • One man one vote • Baker v. Carr(1962) • Gerrymandering

  6. Virginia’s Third and Seventh Districts

  7. Virginia’s Congressional Districts

  8. Membership of the Senate • Two From Each State • Qualifications • 30 years old • Citizen of U.S. for 9 years • Legal resident of state where elected • Term of Office • 6 years • Elections in even numbered years • 1/3 up for reelection every two years

  9. Members of Congress • Salary • 27th Amendment • Privileges and Benefits • Franking • Staff • Medical and Retirement • Protection from arrest or lawsuit while on the floor of Congress • Punishment • Exclusion • Censure • Expulsion

  10. Members of Congress • Characteristics • Reelection • Constant in the House • Incumbent Advantage • Money – PACs • Name Recognition • Experience • Franking • Being a Congressman

  11. The House of Representatives • Leadership • Importance of Party Affiliation • Leadership and Committees • Speaker of the House • Constitution • Floor Leaders • Majority and Minority • Whips • Majority and Minority • The Rules Committee • Quorum

  12. Speaker of the HouseJohn Boehner

  13. Majority and Minority Leaders Eric Cantor Nancy Pelosi

  14. Majority and Minority Whips Kevin McCarthy Steny Hoyer

  15. The Senate • Informal Atmosphere • No Rules Committee • Leadership • The Vice President • Break Ties • Importance of Party Affiliation • Leadership and Committees • President Pro Tempore • Majority and Minority Leaders • Majority and Minority Whips • The Filibuster • Quorum

  16. The Vice PresidentJoe Biden

  17. President Pro TemporeDaniel Inouye

  18. Majority and Minority Leaders Harry Reid Mitch McConnell

  19. Majority and Minority Whips Dick Durbin Jon Kyl

  20. Congressional Committees • Purposes of Committees • Allows members to divide their work and become specialists • Sort through numerous bills • Educate the public through hearings and investigations

  21. Congressional Committees • Purposes of Committees • Allows members to divide their work and become specialists • Sort through numerous bills • Educate the public through hearings and investigations

  22. Kinds of Committees • Standing • Ways and Means • Appropriations • Rules • Subcommittees • Select • Select Intelligence • Joint • Conference

  23. Choosing Committee Members • Party • Seniority • Changes • Role of the Chair • Make key decisions about the work of the committee • Decide when hearings will be held and which witnesses will be called • Hire staff and control the budget • Manage floor debates on bills coming from their committee

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