size, qualifications, the job and pay. members – 435 set by reapportionment act of 1929 ...
DESCRIPTION
Tuesday after the first Monday of even numbered years. Therefore, A House term is two years. Elections outside of presidential years are called “off year elections.”TRANSCRIPT
HOUSE AND SENATESize, Qualifications, The Job and
Pay
House Members – 435 Set by Reapportionment
Act of 1929
Apportion – Distribute Reapportion – Redistribute (Every 10
years after the Census)
House Elections Tuesday after the first Monday of even
numbered years. Therefore, A House term is two years.
Elections outside of presidential years are called “off year elections.”
Gerrymandering Districts been drawn to the benefit of the
party that controls the legislature.
A) To pack opposition B) To spread opposition too thin
Gerrymandering Rules Wesberry v. Sanders – Near Equal
Population Race – Can not be the controlling factor,
but can be part of a mix of factors
Only works for Single Member Districts At Large Districts eliminate the problem
Gerrymandered Districts 2010
Formal Qualifications 25 Years Old
Citizen for at least 7 years
Inhabitant of the state from which they are elected
Compare to the Senate
Informal Qualifications Party Identification Name familiarity Gender Ethnicity Experience Incumbency Fundraising ability
Senate 100 Members
2 (per state) x 50 (states) = 100 members
Represent Entire State
Senate Elections Originally chosen by State Legislatures
17th Amendment – Direct Election of Senators (1913)
Only one Senator per state in any election
Term Senators serve for 6 years
Continuous Body – all of its seats are never up at the same time (1/3 in three consecutive elections)
Attention Due to size, Senators are more likely to
be seen as national leaders and are more likely to garner attention from the media in their states.
The Senate is the primary source of contenders from the presidency from both parties.
Formal Qualifications 30 Years Old
Citizen for at least 9 years
Inhabitant of the State from which they are elected
Compare to the House
What Congress Members Do
Legislators – Make Laws Representatives – Represent Constituents Committee Members – Screen proposals
and decide if they get floor consideration Servants of Constituents – Casework Politicians – Win elections
How Representatives Vote 1. Delegate – Agents of the people who
vote the way the “folks back home” want them to.
2. Trustee – Vote their conscience only 3. Partisans – Owe allegiance to their
party 4. Politicos – Attempt to combine the
basic elements of the other three roles
Compensation Salary - $174,000 Floor Leaders - $ 193, 400 Speaker - $223,500
Tax deduction for multiple residences Travel allowances Healthcare Retirement/Pension Plan
More Compensation Offices in D.C. and at home Staff members Franking Privilege – Free mail Free Printing Gym Membership
Legislative Immunity – No arrest going to or from session or while in session; Can not be taken to court over things said on official duty.