organization of congress
DESCRIPTION
Organization of Congress. The House of Representatives & U.S. Senate. Congressional Membership. Bicameral: Two house legislature. Congressional Sessions Each term begins on January 3 of odd-numbered years and lasts for two years. 111 th Congress [2009-2010] 112 th Congress [2011-2012 ] - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Organization of Congress
The House of Representatives&U.S. SenateOrganization of CongressCongressional MembershipBicameral: Two house legislature.Congressional SessionsEach term begins on January 3 of odd-numbered years and lasts for two years.111th Congress [2009-2010]112th Congress [2011-2012]113th Congress [2013-2014]Each session lasts one year.Have to vote to adjourn.
Membership of the House435 members.Based on each states population [APPORTIONMENT]Each state is guaranteed 1 representative.
Congressional Apportionment, 2000http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUCnb5_HZc0http://mapscroll.blogspot.com/2011/01/2010-census-population-and.html
QualificationsMust be at least 25 years old.Citizen of the U.S. for at least 7 years.Live in the district they represent.
Dan BenishekTerm of OfficeTwo-Year Terms.All members (435 of them) must run for reelection!90% are reelected.What if there is a vacancy?Special election to fill the vacancy.
Representation and ReapportionmentCensus Bureau-Census taken every 10 years.Population determines the new number.
Congressional RedistrictingAfter reapportionment, the states sets up congressional districts one for each representative.Redistricting.Some states abused redistricting power.Creating districts of unequal populationsGerrymandering- odd shaped districtsOne person, one voteEach district contains about 650,000 people.
Membership in the Senate2 Senators from every state = 100 QualificationsAge 30+U.S. citizen for 9 yearsLegal residents of the state they represent.All voters of each state elect senators AT LARGE, or statewide.
DEBBIE STABENOWCARL LEVINTerm of OfficeContinuity6 year terms 1/3 of the senators would run for reelection every 2 years. [Most win reelection]Vacancy??
State legislature may call upon the governor to appoint someone until the next election.ORGovernor may also call a special election to fill the seat.
Salary and BenefitsSenate and House set their own salaries.27th Amendment (Michigan cast the deciding vote!)Prohibits a sitting Congress from giving itself a pay raise.$133,000 (93)$150,000 (02)Franking Privilege: free stationary, postage.
Privileges..Free from arrestCannot be sued for things they say on the floor.May judge each others qualifications.May punish its own members for disorderly behavior by majority vote. [Can expel with 2/3 vote]Censure: formal disapproval of a member.E.g. Bill Clinton Scandal.