The Members of The Members of CongressCongress

Ch. 8Sec. 1

Pp. 212-217

The Responsibilities of The Responsibilities of LawmakingLawmakingThey represent

constituents of their districts

They also have a responsibility to the whole nation

They have a responsibility to their political party

They have to balance the needs of these groups

Senator Heflin

The Responsibilities of The Responsibilities of LawmakingLawmaking

Their most important job is making laws

Interest groups and lobbyists provide campaign money

They vote on hundreds of bills a year

Members of Congress at WorkMembers of Congress at Work

Learn about issues on which they must vote

Go to meetings, discuss bills, study reports, read letters from constituents

Rely heavily on their staffs

Nancy PelosiSpeaker of the House

Representatives and SenatorsRepresentatives and Senators

Census every ten years to determine how many representatives each state gets

States draw boundaries for congressional districts

Serve for two yearsRep. Arthur Davis

Representatives and SenatorsRepresentatives and Senators

Two senators from each state

Serve six-year terms

One-third are elected every two years

Salary is $154,700

Sen. Richard Shelby

QuestionsQuestions

What do members of Congress have to balance?

a. The needs of lobbyists and special interest groups

b. The needs of senators and representatives

c. The needs of constituents and the nation

d. The needs of the President and a political party

QuestionsQuestions

A member of Congress is primarily responsible toa. the people he or she representsb. special interest groupsc. lobbyistsd. his or her governor

QuestionsQuestions

The most important job of Congress isa. leading our military forcesb. making lawsc. governing citiesd. helping lobbyists

QuestionsQuestions

Congress is made up ofa. presidents and vice presidentsb. judges and mayorsc. interest groups and lobbyistsd. representatives and senators

QuestionsQuestions

The job of a member of Congress includesa. discussing billsb. helping constituentsc. attending meetingsd. all of above

QuestionsQuestions

Which statement is true?a. There are more senators than

representatives in Congress.b. Representatives serve for longer terms

than senators. c. Representatives focus on the interests

of their whole state.d. Senators focus on the interests of their

whole state.

QuestionsQuestions

What is a requirement of all members of Congress?

a.serve for only two yearsb.at least 30 years oldc.live in the state that elects themd.U.S. citizens for at least nine years