congress chapter 10. congress: goals & objectives 1.bicameralism & apportionment 2.congress:...

CongressCongress

Chapter 10Chapter 10

Congress: Goals & ObjectivesCongress: Goals & Objectives

1.1. Bicameralism & ApportionmentBicameralism & Apportionment

2.2. Congress: Representatives, Terms, Congress: Representatives, Terms, SessionsSessions

3.3. Congressional Districts & Congressional Districts & GerrymanderingGerrymandering

4.4. Roles of legislators & ConstituentsRoles of legislators & Constituents

5.5. 2727thth amendment amendment

Viewpoints about CongressViewpoints about Congress

““The First Branch?The First Branch?””

Bicameralism: Bicameralism: 2 houses: 2 houses: Why did the founding fathers choose Why did the founding fathers choose

bicameralism? bicameralism?

Bicameralism:Bicameralism: a way to lessen the power a way to lessen the power of government. Explain the process of of government. Explain the process of bicameralismbicameralism New Jersey Plan, Virginia Plan, Connecticut New Jersey Plan, Virginia Plan, Connecticut

CompromiseCompromise

Terms & SessionsTerms & Sessions 2020thth Amendment: 3 Amendment: 3rdrd day of January of every odd day of January of every odd

numbered year.numbered year.• Prevents Prevents lame duck lame duck representatives.representatives.

SessionsSessions: 2 Sessions to each term of Congress: : 2 Sessions to each term of Congress: 4-5 months per year in Washington D.C. 4-5 months per year in Washington D.C. AdjournsAdjourns: : • Both chambers must agree to adjournBoth chambers must agree to adjourn• Prorogue: President can end a session of Prorogue: President can end a session of

CongressCongress Special SessionsSpecial Sessions: called by the President, : called by the President,

emergency situationsemergency situations

Size & TermsSize & Terms

House of Representatives: House of Representatives: 435 members apportioned by state 435 members apportioned by state

populationpopulation Every state has at least 1 Representative: Every state has at least 1 Representative:

Article I, section 2, clause 3: A Republican Article I, section 2, clause 3: A Republican form of government.form of government.

• Reapportionment Act of 1929Reapportionment Act of 1929: : CensusCensus:: Established permanent size of the HouseEstablished permanent size of the House

435 Congressional Districts: 435 Congressional Districts: single single member districtsmember districts

7 Districts in Alabama7 Districts in Alabama

Off-Year Elections: Off-Year Elections:

Non-Presidential election years. Non-Presidential election years. House of Representatives: All 435 are House of Representatives: All 435 are

elected every 2 years.elected every 2 years. Senate: 1/3 of the 100 Senators are Senate: 1/3 of the 100 Senators are

elected every 2 years.elected every 2 years.• Continuous bodyContinuous body: :

Single-Member DistrictSingle-Member District

Voters in each district elect one of Voters in each district elect one of the State’s House members.the State’s House members.

7 States currently possess 1 member 7 States currently possess 1 member in the House of Representativesin the House of Representatives• At-Large At-Large electionelection

Gerrymandering Purpose of Gerrymandering:

1. To concentrate the opposition’s voters in one or a few districts

2. To spread the opposition as thinly as possible among several districts

3. Who gerrymanders?

4. Census: Gerrymandering: Politics

Gerrymandering Map

Gerrymandering

1. Wesberry v Sanders: 19641. Equal representation for equal numbers of

people.

2. Baker v. Carr: 19621. One Person, One Vote Rule

1. State legislatures must apportion according to population so that each person’s vote has roughly equal weight

House Qualifications

1. 25 years of age2. Citizen for 7

years3. Inhabitant of the

State elected

1. 435 members2. 2 year terms3. District Rule4. Strict Rules, limited

debate5. Large Committees6. No confirmation

power

Senate Qualifications1. 30 years of age2. Citizen for 9

years3. Inhabitant of the

State elected1. Inhabitant?

1. 100 senators2. 6 year terms3. At-large election

(17th amendment)4. Flexible Rules5. Unlimited debate6. Appointment &

Confirmation power

5 major roles of Congress

1. Legislators2. Representatives3. Committee Members4. Servants of constituents5. Politicians

The Law Makers 4 Voting Options

1. Trustees: decisions based upon merits

2. Delegate: agents of their constituents

3. Partisans: Party politics4. Politicos: a balance of the three

voting options.

Committee Functions

1. Oversight Function: Watchdog function over the executive branch

Salary & Compensation

• Speaker of the House of Rep.• $192,600

• Floor Leaders• $171,900

• $158,000 House members

• Senate Pro Tem• $192,600

• Vice President• $192,600

• Floor Leaders• $171,900

• $158,000

27th Amendment

Non-Salary Compensation

1. Special Tax Deductions NOT available to any other tax payer

2. Travel allowances3. Free Health & Life Insurance4. Free Outpatient care & Medical Staff on Capitol Hill5. Retirement Plan: $150,000 year6. Free offices and/or allowances for such7. Funds for Staff & Operation costs8. Franking Privilege: 9. Free Radio, Newspaper & cheap television10. Free parking, restaurants, gymnasiums, saunas

Fringe Benefits

27th amendment

• Congress has the power to give themselves pay raises and fringe benefits

• Limits: • Presidential veto• Voter backlash

Other Congressional Benefits

• Free from arrest: • Unless: Treason, Felony or Breach of

the Peace• Article I, section 6, clause 1