Legislative Branch

Chapter 10 - Congress

The National Legislature

• Article I of the Constitution– Established a bicameral legislature– Houses in the Legislative Branch

• House of Representatives• Senate

• Congress is bicameral because– It was like the British Parliamentary system– Early state legislatures used it– It was part of the Connecticut/Great Compromise– The framers hoped each house would check the other’s

power

• Term of Congress– Term = 2 years– Session = 1 year

The House of Representatives

• The largest of the two houses– 435 members– Representation is based on population– The census every 10 years determines apportionment– Each state is guaranteed at least one representative

• Elected from districts within the state• Districts are drawn by state legislatures• Districts must be drawn in accordance with the ‘one-man,

one-vote rule (no gerrymandering)

• Representatives– Qualifications• Be at least 25 years old• Be a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years• Live in the state/district they represent

– Are elected for a two-year tem and have unlimited chances for re-election

Senate

• Constitution– Guarantees each state two senators– Total senators is 100

• Qualifications– Must be at least 30 years old– Be a citizen for at least 9 years– Live in the state they represent– Are elected for a six-year term. Have unlimited

chances for re-election

Members of Congress

• Congress is not a representative cross-section of the American population

• Congressmen have five jobs– Legislator who makes laws– Representative for the interests of their constituents– Servant who helps their constituents– Committee member who serves on committees in

Congress– Politician who tries to please everyone

• Congressmen adopt one of four behavior styles– Trustee – decisions are based on their best

judgment– Delegate – they follow the wishes of their

constituents– Partisan – they follow their political party– Politico – they try to balance all three of the above

Office Holders• House of Representatives

– Speaker of the House – John Boehner

– Majority Party Leader – Eric Cantor– Minority Party Leader – Nancy Pelosi– 6th District Representative – Tom

Price• Senate

– Senate President – Joe Biden– Senate President Pro Tempore –

Daniel Inouye– Majority Party Leader – Harry Reid– Minority Party Leader – Mitch

McConnell– GA’s Senior Senator – Saxby

Chambliss– GA’s Junior Senator – Johnny Isakson