Congress and The Capitol Building

Congress of the United StatesHouse of

RepresentativesArticle 1, Section 1 Senate

435 Representatives 100 Senators

Based on State Populations

2 from each state

2 years Length of Term 6 years

Entire House elected every 2 years

When Elected One third of Senate elected every 2 years

At least 25 years old Required Age At least 30 years old

U.S. citizen at least 7 years

Citizenship U.S. citizen at least 9 years

Resident of the state where elected

Legal Residence Resident of the state where elected

$174,000 Salary $174,000

5 years (50-20) Vested 5 years (50-20)

Comparative SalariesSalaries for Members of Congress, Supreme Court

Justices, and the President

• President $400,000• Vice President $227,300• Speaker of the House $223,500• House Majority & Minority Leaders $193,400• House/Senate Members & Delegates $174,000• Chief Justice, Supreme Court $217,400• Associate Justices, Supreme Court $208,100

General Information of Congress

• The terms of both Senators from a particular State are so arranged that they do not terminate at the same time.

• One elected first: Senior(PA=Bob Casey D)

• One elected second: Junior(PA=Patrick Toomey R)

• If a Senator dies or resigns during the term, the governor of the state must call a special election or the governor may appoint one until the next election.

General Information of Congress

• Congress assembles in January, a session lasts one year.

• In the House of Representatives there are non-voting members from: Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, Samoa, Guam, and Virgin Islands.

• The chief function of Congress is to make laws.

• Representatives from Indiana county: Bill Shuster(R)

Meet the Average Congressperson

CONGRESS1. Average Age: 572. Male: 81.5%

3. Female: 18.5%

4. Non-white: 15%5. College Educated: 95%6. Occupation:

Lawyers 41%, Business 36%

U.S. Average1. Average Age: 352. Male:

49%3. Female:

51%4. Non-white:

24%5. College educated:

24%

Congressional Breakdown

99

436WomenMen

Minorities in Congress

447

413611

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Minorities

WhiteBlackHispanicOther

Why Run For Congress?1. Salary: $174,000(42,000)2. Tax deduction on 2 residences3. Paid staff, limit 18, Member Representational

Allowance approx. $1.2 million, covers related expenses.

4. Travel, phone, newsletter allowance5. Health and life insurance, pension6. Free medical care, parking, meal money7. Free recreational facilities

1. Use of a car (HR only), gas, general maintenance, insurance, registration fees and excess mileage charges all paid for.

2. Food and beverage for meetings3. Average number of work days per year = 1034. Holidays: 6 days Memorial Day, Month August recess, 2-week April recess, Week off in Feb.,

March, and July.