Chapter 5 The Legislative Branch 5 1 Congressional

Chapter 5 The Legislative Branch

5 -1 Congressional Membership

• The founders intended that the legislative branch have more power than any other branch. • Each term of congress starts on Jan. 3 of odd-numbered years and lasts two years. • It is divided into two sessions, or years.

House of Representatives • The House has 435 members. • They are called “representatives, ” “congressmen” or “congresswomen” • Qualifications: – 25 years old – US citizen for 7 years – Legal resident of state that elects them – Traditionally live in their district

House of Representatives • Reapportionment – Census is done every 10 years – If states gain or lose population, they gain or lose representatives • Redistricting – states set up new congressional districts after reapportionment

Redistricting Abuses Gerrymandering – majority party draws district lines to gain an advantage. Packing – packing opposing party’s voters into one district, so opposition will win, but other districts will be “safe. ” Cracking – dividing up opposing party’s voters into as many districts as possible, to dilute their vote.

Senate • Qualifications – 30 years old – US citizen for 9 years – Legal resident of state they represent • Term of Office – Six years – A third of senators elected every two years

Senate Privileges • Automatic cost-of-living salary adjustments • “Franking privileges” – free postage for official business • Medical clinic, gymnasium • Large allowances to pay for office staff, assistants, trips home, phones, etc. • Income tax deduction to help maintain two residences • Free from all arrest, except in cases of treason, felony, and breach of the peace • Cannot be sued for anything they say on the House or Senate floor • Generous retirement

Senator Statistics • Almost half of senators are lawyers • Typically white, middle-aged males • Average is over 50 • Congress is slowly becoming more diverse • About 90% of incumbents are reelected each term

5 -2 The House of Representatives, 5 -3 The Senate

Rules House • Complex rules, to move legislation quickly. • Rules committee decides which bills reach the floor. Senate • Fewer rules, to allow each senator full expression. • Unanimous consent governs which rules reach the floor.

Atmosphere & Debate House • Large • Regulated • Busy • Debate lasts less than a day Senate • Small • Informal • Few senators present except at votes • Debate may last weeks or even months

Power of Leader House • Speaker powerful – Second in succession to president – Decides who may speak, in what order – May appoint committee chairs Senate • President (US Vice President) may not vote (except in case of a tie), may not participate in debate, and is rarely there • President Pro Tempore usually presides • President has less control over Senators than Speaker has over Representatives

Prestige House • Shorter term Senate • Longer term • Fewer senators; more visible • More responsibility • More power – approvals, ratifications

Important Committees House • Rules – “traffic officer” for flow of legislation • Ways & Means • Appropriations Senate • Foreign Relations • Finance • Appropriations

5 -4 Congressional Committees 5 -5 Staff and Support Agencies

Who really does the work? Committees! • Allow members of congress to specialize • “Divide and conquer” huge number of bills to consider • Allow for more public input

Types of Committees Standing Committees – permanent • Subcommittees – subcategories of issues • Select Committees – temporary • Joint Committee – House & Senate members • Conference Committees – reconcile House & Senate versions of same bill

Committee assignments • Political parties assign members to committees • Committee chairs are powerful • Seniority usually governs committee assignments

Who really does the work? Staff! • Congress has too much to do • Issues have grown incredibly complex • Constituents expect a lot of assistance

Types of Staff Personal staff • Hired by senators or representatives • 2/3 at capital; 1/3 in home state – Administrative Assistants – run offices – Legislative Assistants – research issues, draft bills, attend committee meetings for Senator or Representative – Caseworkers – handle constituent requests for help Committee staff • Work for committees – experts in their areas; study issues, draft bills, prepare reports