5.1 Congress

Do Now:

Why do we like to be liked?

3.1 Congress

3.1 Congress

Congress:

“the act of coming together; an encounter; a meeting”

3.1 Congress

Congress is the Legislative Branch of the United States Government. It is Bicameral, or consisting of two houses.

The two houses are…

3.1 Congress

The Senate

The Senate consists of 100 senators (2 from each state) who serve 6 year terms.

Senators must be 30 years old, a US citizen for at least nine years, and a resident of the state which they serve.

The 17th Amendment

Until 1913 Senators were elected by the House of Representatives. Popular opinion shifted as citizens believed that there was too much of a risk of corruption and a lack of representation in this system.

The 17th Amendment changed this system to the current popular election system that we now have.

The House of Representatives

The House of Representatives consists of 435 members, apportioned equally by population to the states. Each member represents a specific congressional district.

Representatives serve 2 years terms and must:

•Be at least 25 years old•Have been a citizen for at least 7 years•Be an inhabitant of the state they represent

Congressional Leadership

Other than the Speaker of the House, leadership in both houses is based on seniority and popularity and exists only within the party.

Speaker of the House: Party leader, administrative functions

Majority Leader: Sets floor agenda, oversees chairmenRepublican/Democratic Leader: Party leaderMajority Whip: Ensures party loyalty, counts votes

Republican/Democratic Whip: Ensures party loyalty, counts votes

Reapportionment

Congressional Districts are reapportioned, or redistributed, every ten years after the census. Each member represents approximately 650,000 people.

District Power

Some areas of each state (especially large cities) are quite diverse in political views. The ways in which districts are redrawn is critical to the power that they wield.

Class Exercise

Use your yarn to draw outlines around desks that neighbor each other. You must include all desks and each group must have an equal number of desks. Use tape to hold down your yarn on the floor.

Reflection Questions

1. Where does the decision making power in this exercise come from?

2. How can that power be controlled?

3. If politics are important wouldn’t people try to do this in real life?

4. How can you stop it?

Gerrymandering

-To manipulate an electoral area, usually by altering its boundaries, in order to gain an unfair political advantage in an election

Gerrymandering

C.G.P. Grey on Gerrymandering

3.1 Congress

Who is my Representative?

Inner Loop Representatives:

2- Ted Poe (R)

7- John Culberson (R)

9- Al Green (R)

18- Sheila Jackson Lee (D)

29- Gene Green (D)

Who are my Senators?

Two State Senators serve the entire state

John Cornyn (R) Ted Cruz (R)

Compensation

•Senators and Representatives make $174,000/year.•Special Tax Deductions •Generous Travel Allowances•Excellent and Cheap Healthcare•Pension (can be close to $200,000/yr)•Funds to set up local and D.C. offices

Compensation, Cont’d

•Franking Privilege-Being able to use your signature rather than postage stamps•Free printing and video copying•Congressional Gyms and Restaurants•Free Parking•Freedom from Arrest and Trial (except for a few charges)•Members of Congress have the power to set their own pay, only the President’s Veto power stands in the way

Other (illegal) Benefits

•Meals, trips, merchandise from lobbyists•Special privileges, or kickbacks, from businesses whom the Member of Congress helps out

3.1 CongressThere are four types of Congressional Politicians, separated by ideology:

•Trustee- These politicians believe that they must use their judgment to make the best decision in each vote.•Delegate- See themselves as the agents of those who elected them (a majority, hopefully, of their constituents)•Partisans- (Majority of Politicians) Partisans see themselves as, first and foremost, loyal to party.•Politicos- Politicians who try to balance the previous three views.

5.1 Assignment

Why do members of congress get into politics?

Money? Power? Create Change? Fame?

Write an essay explaining which of these four (as few or as many as you like) are the most influential in encouraging most candidates to run for office.

Then outline a plan that will ensure that politicians will always have The Country’s best interests in mind.