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Congress (Qualifications/Terms (HoR) (Must be 25 years of age, Be US…
Congress
Qualifications/Terms (HoR)
Must be 25 years of age
Be US Citizens for 7 years
Legal residents of the state that elects them
Traditional: live in the district they represent
Salary/Benefits
Money made for speeches
1789
$6 a day
1991
Pay hike $23,000
2009-present
$174,000
Purpose/Kinds of Committee
Allows Congress to divide their work among smaller groups
Committees select the few that can be placed into consideration
Holding public hearings and investigations
Kinds of Committees (4)
Standing Committee
Continue from one legislative to the next.
Select Committee
Study a specific issue and bring results to House/Senate
Joint Committee
Reports back to Senate/House on the topic of a bill
Conference Committee
Temporary setup for passing different versions of a bill
Qualifications/Terms (Senate)
At least 30 years old
Citizens for 9 years before election
Legal residents of the state they represent
No particular district
Representation/Reapportionment
Determined by a 10-year census
Reapportionment
Determines representatives based on state pop.
Max seats available: 435
Characteristics/ Reelection
Nearly 1/2 the members are lawyers
Used to focus on whites (not anymore)
Generally easy for reelection (about 90% stay in)
Rule of House/House Leadership
Article I, Section 51 of the Constitution
"Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings."
Complex Rules
Print new rules every two years
House Floor Leaders
Speaker of the House
Most powerful officer and most powerful leader in House
Majority Leader
Plan legislative program
Steer bills through House
Chairpersons complete bill work
Senate at Work/Leadership
Handle specific issues related to the committee
Rules are more flexible in the Senate than the House
Congress Organization
Bicameral Legislature
Senate
Congressional Sessions
Term begins January 3
Each term is one year (one meeting per year)
Can only adjourn if both Houses agree to do so
Serve 6 Years
Represent their state
House of Representatives
Sets rules for limitations