CONGRESS THE PEOPLES BRANCH Structure Powers of Congress

CONGRESS: THE PEOPLE’S BRANCH

Structure & Powers of Congress �The Federalist, No. 51, page 263 in your book �Separation of Powers to make sure legislative Branch does not get too big �Article I establishes the Legislative Branch

Terms and Sessions Term lasts for two years � 112 th Congress Convened on Jan. 3, 2011 � Session-period of time Congress meets during the year � Adjourn- when the Congress stops meeting and begins a recess � Pro-forma session- what the Senate is in now �

HOUSE � 435 members �Represent population within a state �Two year terms �Must be 25 years old, US citizen for 7 years, and live in state at the time of the election

Senate � 100 members � 2 from each state � Six year terms � Staggered elections every two years (3 different classes) � Must be 30 years old, US citizen for 9 years, and live in the state at the time of election

Congressional Elections � Safe Seats-USUALLY won by a particular party � Swing District-seat is competitive � Incumbents usually win (90% in Senate, 98% in the House)

Drawing District Lines for the House of Representatives �Apportioned �Reapportion-census every 10 years �Reapportionment Act of 1929 � 435 Members �District has about 650, 000 people

Terms/Cases to know: � Adjourn � Wesberry v. Sanders, 1964 � Off year elections � Special session � Continuous body � Reapportionment � Constituencies � Redistricting � 4 ways a member of � Gerrymandering Congress can vote � Franking privileges � Prorogue

The Job of the Legislator REPRESENTATIVE� Delegates-vote according to what the constituents want � Trustees- vote for what is best for the constituents � Partisans- vote strictly along party lines � Politicos- attempt to combine the basic elements of delegates, trustees, and partisans