Understanding Characteristics and

Roles Congress10-4 highlights

Part I

The House of Representatives

The Senate

Can just anyone be a representative of the

people?

Who are our representatives like?

A: BackgroundsI) Most House and Senate members are likely to be more wealthy and much older than the agerage U.S. citizens.

A: BackgroundsII) Most members have prior political experience. The average Representative has served four terms.

B: On Being an OfficialI) There are 4 descripions of how and why representatives cast votes.

1. A trustee . . .

2. A delegate . . .

3. A partisan . . .

4. A politico . . .

4 descriptions1. A trustee bases a vote on how he or she sees the merits of a bill.

2. A delegate bases a vote on how his or her constituents feel about the bill.

4 Descriptions3. A partisan bases a vote on party loyalty.

4. A politico bases a vote on a balance between the opinion constituents views.

B: On Being an OfficialII) Representatives fill 5 essential roles.

1.As legislator . . .2.As representative. . .3.As committee member . . .4.As servant . . .5.As politician . . .

5 roles1. as legislators and representatives they write, debate, amend and decide how and why to vote on bills.

5 roles2. as committee members they decide which bills to send to the full chamber for debate.

They also use oversight function to investigate executive agencies.

5 roles4. as servants, they use their power and access to help constituents deal with federal agencies.

5. As politicians they look for reelection by balancing many roles and priorities.

C: Compensation1. Salary (for rank and file members of both chambers) is $174,000.

2. Non Salary : pension, health benefits, and social security benefits.

C: Compensation

3. Operations: franking privilege, a budget for staff, offices, housing, and travel expenses.

C: Compensation3. Pay raises•Congress votes to raise it's pay.• a pay raise is stalled until after next election, except CODA.•Only limited by voter backlash and presidential veto.