United States Congress The Legislative Branch Foundations of

United States Congress The Legislative Branch

Foundations of the US Congress • Constitutional Convention (1787) • Virginia Plan: representation in Congress should be based on the state’s population and wealth • New Jersey Plan: representation in Congress should be equal for all states

Organization and Size The Connecticut Compromise Lower U. S. Congress Upper (535 Members) Virginia Plan House of Representatives (435 Members) Based on State Population The People’s House Bicameral New Jersey Plan Senate (100 Members) 2 Senators per State Originally Elected by the State Legislatures

The Legislative Branch • Article I of the US Constitution • Law Making Branch of Government

Article 1 Section 1 “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives” Law Making

Terms of Congress • 20 th Amendment (1933): Section 2: “The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3 d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day. ” (odd numbered year: Example: 2011 -2013) • Each term for Congress lasts 2 years (election every 2 years) NO TERM LIMITS • Midterm or “Off year election”: Congress is elected but not the President • Current Congress 113 th (2013 -2015) • President may call a special session of Congress during an emergency if Congress is not in session

U. S. House of Representatives

U. S. Senate

Senate House

U. S. Senators from Georgia Saxby Chambliss (GA-R) Johnny Isakson (GA-R)

Comparing the House and Senate The US House of Representatives The US Senate 435 Members (Based on Population) 100 Members (Two Senators per state) Represents the people and district Represents the entire state Qualifications 1. 25 years of age or older 2. US citizen for 7 years 3. Resident of the State and District Qualifications 1. 30 years of age or older 2. US citizen for 9 years 3. Resident of the State Serves 2 year term Serves 6 year term No term limits Representatives have always been Before the 17 th Amendment, US elected by the People Senators were elected by the state legislatures