Congress:Senate

Members of Congress

Legislator- Makes lawsCommittee Member- Screens bills- Oversees the executive branch’s enforcement of

lawsConstituent Representative- Represents/ votes as “folks back home” wantPolitician - Keeps in touch with party leaders and

constituents back homeConstituent Servant- Does favors for citizens

The SenateSize100 senators representing 50 states

Senate Electionpicked by voters in each state @ regular November elections

Continuous Body-Only 1 senator is elected from a state in any given election

Elected at-large

Senate Term6-yr. termsmay be elected to any number of terms

ex: Strom Thurmond- served 50 years

Senator Qualifications

Must be at least 30 yrs. of age

Must be citizen @ least 9 years

Must be from the state you want to represent

Senate Officers Presiding Officers

President of the Senate President Pro Tempore(Vice President of U.S.) (Leading member of majority party)

Party Officers

Majority Floor Leader Minority Floor Leader

Majority Whip Minority Whip

Seniority Rule

In committees-the most important posts, will be held by those party members with the longest records of service in Congress

Privileges & Pay Congress

Salary- $158,000 a year Speaker Of The House- $192,600 Majority/Minority Floor Leaders-$171,900

Fringe Benefits

Special tax deduction because of 2 residencesGenerous travel allowances Pay small amounts for life/health insuranceRetire with $150,000Special officesFranking privilege- mail letters postage free