members of congress. i) members of congress a) are not a true representation of the american...

Members of Congress

I) Members of Congress

A) Are not a true representation of the American Population

AGE 50.9 58.4 33

Male 89% 91% 49.1%

Female 11% 9% 50.9%

Minority 13.5% 4% 33%

College Educated

98% 99% 21.4%

No degree

2% 1% 78.6%

House Senate US Pop.Averages:

I) Members of Congress

A) Are not a true representation of the American Population

• 1) nearly all members are married

I) Members of Congress

A) Are not a true representation of the American Population

• 1) nearly all members are married• 2) Avg. of 2 kids• 3) 60% Protestant, 25% Roman Catholic, 8%

Jewish

I) Members of Congress

A) Are not a true representation of the American Population

• 1) nearly all members are married• 2) Avg. of 2 kids• 3) 60% Protestant, 25% Roman Catholic, 8%

Jewish• Over ½ are lawyers

Current Make-Up 2012

House of Representatives 435 Members (192 Democrats, 240 Republicans, 3 Vacancies)

Senate 100 Members (51 Democrats, 47 Republicans, 2 Independents)

Current Make-Up 2012

In the House, there are currently 362 men and 76 women. In the Senate, there are 17 women and 83 men.

II) Duties of the Job

A) legislators-make laws

II) Duties of the Job

A) legislators-make laws B) Committee members-determine what

goes to the floor

II) Duties of the Job

A) legislators-make laws B) Committee members-determine what

goes to the floor C) Representatives of their constituents

II) Duties of the Job

A) legislators-make laws B) Committee members-determine what

goes to the floor C) Representatives of their constituents D) Servants of their constituents

II) Duties of the Job

A) legislators-make laws B) Committee members-determine what

goes to the floor C) Representatives of their constituents D) Servants of their constituents E) Politicians

III) Four Voting Options

A) Trustee-call issues as they see them, regardless of constituents

III) Four Voting Options

A) Trustee-call issues as they see them, regardless of constituents

B) Delegate-agent of those who elected them

III) Four Voting Options

A) Trustee-call issues as they see them, regardless of constituents

B) Delegate-agent of those who elected them

C) Partisan-1st allegiance is to the party

III) Four Voting Options

A) Trustee-call issues as they see them, regardless of constituents

B) Delegate-agent of those who elected them

C) Partisan-1st allegiance is to the party D) Politicos-combination of all 3

IV) Membership Privileges

A) Cannot be arrested during attendance of, going to, and returning from session

IV) Membership Privileges

A) Cannot be arrested during attendance of, going to, and returning from session

B) Speech is Protected

IV) Membership Privileges

A) Cannot be arrested during attendance of, going to, and returning from session

B) Speech is Protected– 1) free from suits of libel or slander

IV) Membership Privileges

C) Compensation, Constitution gives them the power to set their own pay

IV) Membership Privileges

C) Compensation, Constitution gives them the power to set their own pay– 1) Congress receive $174,000 per year

IV) Membership Privileges

C) Compensation, Constitution gives them the power to set their own pay– 1) Congress receive $174,000 per year

• a. Senate pro tempore, and minority/majority leader receive $193,000, and Speaker of the House receives about $223,000

IV) Membership Privileges

– 3) Non-salary compensation

IV) Membership Privileges

– 3) Non-salary compensation• a. tax deduction to keep two residences

IV) Membership Privileges

– 3) Non-salary compensation• a. tax deduction to keep two residences• b. travel allowances

IV) Membership Privileges

– 3) Non-salary compensation• a. tax deduction to keep two residences• b. travel allowances• c. lowered medical costs

IV) Membership Privileges

– 3) Non-salary compensation• a. tax deduction to keep two residences• b. travel allowances• c. lowered medical costs• d. pension plan

IV) Membership Privileges

– 3) Non-salary compensation• a. tax deduction to keep two residences• b. travel allowances• c. lowered medical costs• d. pension plan• e. two offices

V) Discussion

1. How does the make-up of congress compare to the general population?

V) Discussion

1. How does the make-up of congress compare to the general population?

2) What would be the advantages/disadvantages of this?

V) Discussion

1. How does the make-up of congress compare to the general population?

2) What would be the advantages/disadvantages of this?

V) Discussion

3) 100 years ago, the average length of service in Congress was only 4 years, today incumbency rates are as high as 90% making for a career in politics.– 1. Should their be term limits?– 2. What are the advantages/disadvantages

of continued service?– 3. Would you make any changes?explain.