1 / 15

Congress- Congressional Membership Ch.5 sect.1

Congress- Congressional Membership Ch.5 sect.1 . U.S. Government- 2013. Quick Write. What do you know about Congress? List 3 things:. Define 3 Key Terms. Bicameral legislature Session Census Reapportionment Redistrict Gerrymander At-large Censure Incumbent.

megara
Download Presentation

Congress- Congressional Membership Ch.5 sect.1

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Congress-Congressional MembershipCh.5 sect.1 U.S. Government- 2013

  2. Quick Write What do you know about Congress? List 3 things:

  3. Define 3 Key Terms Bicameral legislature Session Census Reapportionment Redistrict Gerrymander At-large Censure Incumbent

  4. Capitol Building- Washington D.C.

  5. Congressional Sessions • Each Term starts on January 3 of odd-numbered years and lasts 2 years. • Each term is divided into two sessions (meetings); a session = 1 year • Congress remains in session until its members vote to adjourn. • If Congress is adjourned, the president may call it back for a special session.

  6. Congressional Meeting

  7. Congressional Meeting

  8. Membership of the House 435 Members- Based on Population A. Members must be: 1. 25+ years old 2. U.S. citizens 7+ years 3. Residents of the state they represent B. House members serve 2-year terms

  9. Membership of the House C. The number of state representatives is apportioned according to the census every 10 years (2000, 2010, 2020, etc.) D. Congressional districts are determined by state legislatures E. One representative from each district represents approx. 750,000 people California has 53 representatives (largest)

  10. Congressional Reapportionment and Redistricting After the 10 year Census is taken (2000, 2010, 2020, etc.) the number of Representatives may be reapportioned to account for changes in population Reapportionment after 2012 Census State legislatures then sets the new districts Some states abuse this power in two ways 1. Districts with very unequal population 2. Gerrymandering (ruling political parties redraw boundaries to gain electoral advantages)

  11. Membership of the Senate A. Members must be: 1. 30+ years old 2. U.S. citizens 9+ years 3. Residents of the state they represent B. Senate members serve 6-year terms C. Each state elects 2 senators 100 Senators

  12. Vice President = Senate President • VP Joe Biden • Presides over the Senate • Cannot partake in Senate debates • Votes only in a tie

  13. Congressional Salary and Benefits A. Financial benefits: 1. Set their members’ salaries 2. Allowances for office, staff and business trips 3. Tax breaks for two residences (D.C. & home state) 4. Sizable retirement pensions B. Immunity from arrest in: 1. Non-felony or non-treason cases 2. Anything they say on the House or Senate Floor C. Both houses can censure or even expel members

  14. Members of Congress-Characteristics • Almost half of members are lawyers • Most come from business, banking, and education • Most members of Congress win reelection • Incumbents (members already in office) • Incumbents are successful in reelections because they find it easier to raise campaign funds (PAC’S- Political Action Committees) • Incumbents also may represent districts that have been gerrymandered in their party’s favor.

  15. Reflection Think about the key characteristics and qualifications of the members of Congress. Do you think there should be other qualifications to run for a House or Senate seat?

More Related