The Legislature

Todays QuestionsWhy do we have the type of Legislature we have? (what is it?)How is our legislature divided; when and how do the meet?How many members to the House of Representativesand how elected.What is and WHY gerrymandering!(and where does this originate!!!)The Legislature

Standard: Analyze Article I of the ConstitutionOn both sides of the aisleRepublicans on one, Democrats on the other. (in theory)

They need to reach across the aisle(Democrats and Republicans need to work together.)Our system guarantees our government is representativeArticle I Sect. 1 of the constitution All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the U.S. which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.This makes us a Bicameral Congress made up of two houses.Reasons We Chose 2 housesHistoricallyBritish Parliament had been this way since 1300sMost colonial assemblies were set up this wayThe state legislatures had been set up this way under the first US governmentPracticalStates were different sizesTo be fairone house is based on population; one is equally represented from each state.(this made everyone happy)Framers wanted another check on power.Believed one house would check the other and limit Congress as a whole.Kept it more equal with the Executive and Judicial branches.TheoreticalTerm Of Congress You know, 535 of you people in Congress meet every two years. There are some of us who think that it would be much better if just two of met every 535 years.

TermsRuns for 2 yearsStarts noon of 3rd day of January of odd-numbered years(Can be changed slightly)SessionsThe time Congress conducts businessJanuary until it sees fitRarely is out of session but does take recesses.Cannot adjourn until both sides agree.President has power of prorogue (end the session) but has never used itUsually deal w/ emergencies in the country.Can be both houses or just one.Senate is called more than House (because of responsibilitiestreaties, appointments etc.Special-SessionsHouse of Representatives435 Membersfixed by CongressApportioned among states based on PopulationEach stated guaranteed 1 RepresentativeAlaskaDelawareMontanaNorth Dakota,South DakotaVermontWyomingD.C., Guam, Virgin Islands and American Samoa have delegates but are not full-fledged members.

Each has only 1 Representative.

ReapportionmentHow many representatives will each state get?First Congress--1789the House had 65 seatsthe House has grown with populationReapportionment Act of 1929Set permanent size at 435Census bureau would determine how many each state should havePresident gets their results and sends it to Congress. Congress approves. (this also helps balance power.)ElectionsThe Constitution: The Times, Places and Manner of holding (Congressional) elections shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulation.Article 1, Sec. 4, Clause 1DateTuesday following the First Monday in November in even-numbered years.Alaska may hold their elections in Octoberbut hasntAfter 1872chosen by written or printed ballots1899voting machines

Today you are a true American!!!!November 2014 The first time YOU vote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Off-year a.k.a. Mid-TermsAt the mid-term of a presidential term.Historically, doesnt go well for party in power at the time (people grow unhappy with what is going on and vote against the party) (Dems gained some seats this year after losing them earlier, for instance)See chart on p 269 of your text.

DistrictsHistorically, some single-member districts= voters select from a group of candidates in the districtGeneral ticket (at-large)selecting from a group from the entire state.General ticket was unfair so was done away with. Congress commanded thatStates draw their own districts using consideration forContiguity,--all in one piecePopulationequal number of inhabitantsEquality, Compactnessrelatively small areaLet the games begin

The States redistricted in 2011 after the 2010 census....States draw districts for partisan advantageTo concentrate the oppositions voters in one or two districts orTo spread the opposition as thinly as possible This usually means that seats in congress are usually safe for a very long timeGerrymanderingDrawing districts for political advantage.

A Great Visual

These are recentRacial gerrymandering.Yep, they had to redraw.

For Political benefitDemocrats 4th districtMassachusettsBeen in same hands since 1981 One more in IllinoisIllinoisdrawn to pack the Hispanic vote in the areas. It is contiguous by the thin strip of land along highway 294

Qualifications for House of Representatives25 years oldCitizen for 7 yearsInhabitant of the state they are elected fromCustomnot law--requires they live in the districtElection can be challengedbut has rarely been used.

Expulsions and Reprimands in the House3 over Civil War2 over corruptionMany step down to avoid expulsionSome have been reprimanded for their actions.

The Senate2 from each stateFramers hoped they would be more enlightened so made their qualifications more.Hoped longer terms would keep them above the passions of the House.Represent all the people of the statetheir constituencies.Were first selected by state legislaturesthat changed by 17th Amendment--1913Qualifications(6 years term)30 years oldCitizen for 9 yearsInhabitant of stateNo limitsStaggered elections1/3 up for reelection every 2 years so it is a continuous body.

The Filibuster-a senatorial powerSENATORS are allowed to attempt to block a vote on legislation by talking until a session closes or wheeling dealing is done.They must talk continuously (but the subject is not restricted) and they may not leave the podium (not even for, well, you know), In March of 2013, Sen. Rand Paul of KY tried to block the vote of Obamas nomination of a new CIA leader.

The Senate may stop a filibusterBy invoking cloture.In other words, the Senators listening to the filibuster vote to make the Senator shut up

And thus get on with business2/3 of the remaining Senators must vote in favor of clotureIts not done muchthe Senators have a great respect for one another AND they know what goes around comes around.

Expulsions and ReprimandsWhat happens when they misbehave?15 expulsions total in the Senate1 in 1797 for conspiring against the U.S.14 during Civil WarSenate (or House) Ethics Committee over-sees behavior Several senators have been called out for improper behavior but have resigned or not run for reelection and avoided punishmentRecent Expulsions and Censures1980 Rep. Michael Myers Democratic Pennsylvania Expelled for accepting bribes in the Abscam scandal. 1983 Rep. Gerry Studds Democratic Massachusetts and Rep. Daniel Crane Republican Illinois Censured for sexual misconduct with a House page. 1990 Sen. David Durenberger Republican Minnesota Censured for unethical conduct including acceptance of prohibited gifts, converting campaign contributions to personal use, illegal use of a condominium, and the structuring of a real estate deal. 2002 Rep. James Traficant Democratic Ohio Expelled after being convicted on charges of bribery, racketeering, and tax evasion. 2010 Rep. Charles Rangel Democratic New York Censured for improper use of House letterhead for fundraising, failing to disclose personal financial assets, failing to pay taxes on a Dominican villa, and using a rent-controlled New York city apartment as a political office. CensureAllegations must be brought forward,InvestigatedReported on / recommendationsVoted upon

In 2010, Rep Charles Rangel from NY was censured

Writing your CongressmanPage 276 of your text for guidanceHouse memebershttps://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Senate

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfmOr just google: how to write senators or House of Represent.

What do I write?What is.. (health care, dont ask dont tell, )Why (health care and not just private care, tax relief bill)What(help can I expect in college, should I expect for jobs)I dont understand(tax relief bill, DADT, etc)Why do you want to serveHow can I help our country right nowCongratulations on your (re)election

Where do I look for issues?

http://www.opencongress.org/issues/alphabetical/A

Do 2 copiesOne to mail outI will have envelope to give you to addressyou must have the address.One to turn in to me to gradeparent signature on it to show theyve seen it.Angelina JoliePSC 41 Box 1111APO AE 09464Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson Washington DC Office 2184 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515

Address the Senator as:Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson or The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchinson

Address a Representative as:Congressman Lamar Smith orThe Honorable Lamar Smith