ARTICLE IRequirements, Duties and Characteristics of the Legislative Branch

Bicameral LegislationArt. 1 Sec. 1: … which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives

Out Congress is split into two Houses Senate

Equal Representation

House of Representatives Representation based by population

Bicameral LegislationArt. 1 Sec. 1: … which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives

The Senate 100 members 2 per state Changes only when states are added

The House of Representation 435 Divided every 10 years based on the

American Census Total population / 435 equals number of

representatives per “x” number of people 2012-2022 each congressman/woman will

represent approximately 710,00 people

What is Fair?How should representing the states balance big and small?

Equal Representation

Pro: all have equal say

Con: people’s votes are not equal

Proportional Representation

Pro: People’s votes are equal

Con: small states have little say

New Jersey Plan Virginia Plan

The Compromise

Connecticut, Grand or Great Compromis

Create a legislature with 2 houses, balance responsibilities between the 2 houses, and create a more prefect union for big and small states Senate: Equal Representation House: Proportional Representation

We will talk about the responsibilities later

Balance is seen easier here, each box equals one electoral vote

Congressional Sessions

Each term of congress starts on January 3rd of odd numbered years and last for two years

Each term is divided into two sessions Length of sessions prior to 1933 was from about

January through March, but with increase workload and 20th Amendment most sessions will last until November if not December Neither house nor senate can adjourn for more than

three days without the permission of the other house President can call congress back for a special session

Indiana House Members

1 Visclosky, Peter D2 Walorski, Jackie R 3 Stutzman, Marlin R 4 Rokita, Todd R 5 Brooks, Susan W. R 6 Messer, Luke R 7 Carson, André D 8 Bucshon, Larry R 9 Young, Todd R

Our Senators

Dan Coats (R) seat is up for election in 2016

Joe Donnelly (D) elected in 2012 seat will be up in 2018

Members of Senate

Joe DonnellyElected to Senate in 2013. (elected to the House in 2007)

Dan CoatsElected to Congress in 1988, was defeated by Evan Bayh in 1998 and won in 2010 when Bayh did not seek reelection

Salary and Benefits

1789 members were paid $6.00 per day, today all members make $174,000 a year (some members make more because of their position, I.E. Speaker of the House and President Pro-Temp of the Senate make $223,500)

27th Amendment prohibits congress from given themselves a pay raise As of 2010 290 had retired under CSRS and were

receiving an average annual pension of $60,972 (could make as much as $150,00 per year)

Congressman buy private insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (congress members choose not to take the New National Government Insurance Program.

Privileges of Members

Franking Privilege Large Allowances for office staff (in DC

and at home), trips home, phones, many parking spaces in DC, gym memberships

Immune from arrest or lawsuit for statements made on the floor.

May refuse a seat to an elected or appoited member by majority vote

Members of Congress

535 members in total 100 Senators 435 in the House

House also has 4 delegates from D.C, Guam, American Samoa and the Virgin Islands and 1 Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico (can do everything a congressmen can but vote)

Membership of Congress

Democrats control the Senate 51-47 (2 independets)

Republicans control the House 241-198 (2 vacant seats)

Average Age in House 56.7 in the Senate 62.2 Ninety-one women serve in the 112th Congress: 74 in the House,

including 3 Delegates, and 17 in the Senate. There are 44 African American Members of the House (a record number) and none in the Senate. This House number includes two Delegates. There are 28 Hispanic or Latino Members serving: 26 in the House, including the Resident Commissioner, and 2 in the Senate. Thirteen Members (nine Representatives, two Delegates, and two Senators) are Asian or Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander. The only American Indian (Native American) serves in the House.

Jobs of Congress Members

Majority of the Members are Lawyers, followed by Business and Education (81)

Least previous profession – Doctor only 2 in the Senate and 15 in the House112th Congress Which house do you think will be more

diverse? And why.

Reelection to Congress

Membership in congress has changed very slowly because office holders seldom lose reelection.

Between 1945-1990 almost a 90% reelection rate

1994 Tidal Wave Republicans win many elections and took control of Congress for the first time since 1954.

Today Congress is split. Controlled by the Republicans in the House and the Democrats in the Senate.