THE CONGRESS

1. THE CONGRESS Membership has its privileges

2. I. Structure of Congress A. Membership of the House • 435 Members must be • 25yrs old • 7 yr US resident • Live in District 2. Serve 2 Year Terms 3. # of Reps based on 10yr Census 4. State Legislature sets up districts

3. B. Leadership in the House • Speaker of the House • Floor Leaders • Party whips Speaker of the House Paul Ryan of Wisconsin’s 1st Dist

4. Membership in the Senate • 100 Members must be • 30 yrs old • 9 yr US resident • Live in the State • 6 Year terms 1/3rd Elected Every 2 Yrs • The Senate and the House take care of themselves 1st

6. Leadership in the Senate • Vice President • Pres Pro Temp – Majority Leader • Whips Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

7. 4. Above the Law?????? • Both houses can expel members

8. E. Congressional Sessions • Two Sessions • Sessions last until Congress votes to Adjourn

9. F. Congressional Diversity • Nearly half are lawyers • White Middle Aged Males • Incumbents & Reelection • 90’s & 2010 “Turnover”

11. G. Perks and Privileges • Permanent professional staffs • Privileges and immunities under the law • Congressional Caucuses: Another source of support

12. H. Committees • Purposes of Committees • Divide and Conquer • Hierarchy • Public Hearings and the representation function

13. 2. Types of Committees a. Standing – 1. Majority Party controls standing 2. Subcommittees – b. Select – c. Joint – d. Conference – e. House Rules Committee

15. 3. Choosing Committee Members a. Key Role of Congress b. Membership on certain committees 1. Helps reputation 2. Influence Natl Legislation 3. Influence other members

16. II. Congressional Elections A. Candidates for Congressional Elections B. Congressional campaigns and elections • Campaign funding • Effects of Presidential elections C. The Power of Incumbency

19. D. Congressional Apportionment • House seats are apportioned among the states every ten years, following the census. • Reapportionment—theallocation of seats in the House of Representatives to each state after each census • Redistricting— The redrawing of the boundaries of the congressional districts within each state

20. 4. Gerrymandering 5. Redistricting after the 2020 Census 6. Minority-majority districts

21. III. The Functions of the Congress • The lawmaking function • The representation function • The trustee view • The instructed delegate view • Service to constituents

22. The oversight function: Reviewing actions of the Executive Branch • The Public-Education Function • The Conflict Resolution Function

23. IV. How a Bill Becomes a Law • All appropriations bills must originate in the House. • House of Representatives • Introduction • Committee Stage • Rules Committee • Floor Action

25. Senate at Work 1. Fewer Rules 2. More Informal 3. V.P. < Speaker • Senate Majority Leader • Whips – • No Rules Committee • Two Calendars • Cal of General Orders • Executive Calendar

26. 8. FILIBUSTER – 9. Majority Party controls the flow

27. V. Support Agencies • Library of Congress • Congressional Budget Office • General Accounting Office • Government Printing Office

28. Questions for Critical Thinking • Why did the framers of the Constitution create a bicameral legislature? Was part of the reason for a two-house legislature the idea that it would be more difficult to pass legislation, therefore, a check on a runaway legislature? What impact does this have today? Is it easy for Congress to agree on legislation?

29. Questions for Critical Thinking • Do different rules for each chamber, like the filibuster in the Senate, help to balance power in the two Houses? • Although the problems have changed since 1789, have the basic ideas of representation changed? If so, in what ways?