Post on 17-Dec-2015
The House of Representatives And The Senate
Congressional Sessions
Each term of Congress has two sessions
Sessions last until Congress votes to adjourn
The House of Representatives # of members:
Length of term:
Age
435 Based on states’
population (census)
Serve for 2 years
25 years old
House of Reps (cont.)
Residency:
Leader
7 years a U.S. citizen
Live in the state you represent
Speaker of the House (next in line behind VP)
The Senate
# of members:
Length of term:
Age:
100 (two for each state)
Serve for 6 years (1/3 elected every two years)
30 years old
The Senate (cont.)
Residency:
Leader
9 years a U.S. citizen
Live in the state you represent
Vice President Also, floor leaders
and whips
Both Set their members’ salaries, they
receive numerous benefits, allowances for office staffs & business trips, tax breaks for maintaining two residences and pensions when retire
Immune from arrest – if not a felony or treason
Can not be sued for libel when in session May refuse to seat a member and may
censure or expel members
A & B Conversation
If you were a politician, would you rather be a member of the House or the Senate? Why?
The Members of Congress
½ are lawyers Most white, middle-aged males, but
increasingly starting to reflect the ethnic, racial and gender of nation.
Incumbent members win reelection to office b/c they’re well known, easier to raise campaign funds, and often represent gerrymandered districts
Starting to use internet as campaign tool
How a Bill Becomes a Law Complete “How a Bill becomes a Law”
graphic organizer.” Define – Bicameral Legislature, Session,
Census, redistrict, filibuster, gerrymandering, and incumbent
ADD to vocabulary list Define 27th Amendment Define the following types of committees
Standing Committee Select Committees Joint Committees Conference Committees