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A Bicameral Legislature The Framers wanted to establish a Congressional voting body, but one of the concerns at the Constitutional Convention concerned state representatives. The Great Compromise established Congress as a two-part or bicameral body. -In the upper house, the Senate each state would have an equal number of representation (100 members) - In the lower house, the House of Representatives, each states population would determine its representation.

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Terms of Congress The government calendar is set by law. Each Congress lasts a meeting period or a term of two years. Each new Congress is given a number to identify its two year term. Congressional Sessions- Each term is divided into two sessions or meetings. (Jan-Dec) Congress may also meet during special sessions or in times of crisis. A joint session occurs when the House and Senate meet together. The House of Representatives The House of Representatives, (the larger body of Congress) has 435 voting members allotted to the states according to population

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After each ten year census, the population count taken by the Census Bureau. They adjust or changes, the number of reps given to each state. Congressional Districts- Each state is divided into one or more congressional districts with one rep elected from each district. State legislatures must draw the boundaries so that the districts include roughly the same number of constituents or people represented Sometimes states abuse this process by gerrymandering. A gerrymander is an oddly shaped district designed to increase the voting strength of a particular group.

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The Senate The Senate has 100 members; 2 from each of the 50 states. Each senator represents his/her entire state. Senators serve six-year terms, but the elections are staggered so that no more than 1/3 are up for reelection at one time. (continuity) Leaders in Congress In both the House and Senate, the political party to which more than half the members belong is known as the majority party. The other party is called the minority party. Each house of Congress has an overall leader. The HOR leader is the Speaker of the House http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQRFqD55Se0 &safe=active

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Role of the Speaker- The speaker has great power. The Speaker steers legislature through the House and leads floor debate. 3 rd in line for the presidency. Congressional Leadership- The Senate has no speaker. The vice- president presides over the Senate but may only vote to break a tie. The Senate leader is called the President Pro Tempore. (chairperson) Longest serving senator from the majority party. The majority and minority floor leaders in each house speak for their parties on issues, push bills along and try to sway votes. Party whips help the floor leaders. They make sure legislators are present for key votes.

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Committee Work Each house of Congress must consider thousands of bills, or proposed laws, in the course of a session. To make it possible to handle so many bills at one time, each house has developed a system of committees. Congress has three types of committees: -Standing Committees are permanent committees -Select Committees are HOR and Senate temporary committees which meet for a limited time -Joint Committees HOR and Senate meet to consider specific issues Committee assignments - Meet the needs of the District.. Seniority (years of service)