Powers of CongressPowers of Congress

Houses and Members of Congress

The Constitution and the Legislative Branch of the Government

Article I describes structure of Congress Bicameral legislature

Divided into two houses Each state sends two Senators regardless of

population.

Number of Representatives each state sends to the House is determined by state population.

The Constitution Congress

Constitution sets out requirements for membership in the House and Senate

House of Representatives 25 years of age Reside in U.S. at least 7 years Serve 2 year terms

Senate 30 years of age Reside in U.S. at least 9 years Serve 6 year terms

ALL members of Congress must be legal residents of their states.

The Representatives and Senators

The Job Salary of $168,000 (2007) with retirement

benefits.

Office space in D.C. and at home Plus free staff to fill it!

Travel allowances and franking privileges. Free mail sent if it is official business.

Immunity Legal protection that keeps them from being sued for

anything they say while in office!

Often requires 10 to 14 hour days and lots of time away from the family

Congressional Demographics Members tend to be

Better educated than the population in general Over 2/3’s have advanced degrees.

Richer Nearly 200 are millionaires

21 Senators are worth at least 3.1 million

Male

White

Average age is 60 for Senators; 54 for House members.

Blacks, Hispanics, and Women in Congress, 1971-2006

Apportionment and Redistricting

Apportionment Proportional process of allotting congressional

seats to each state following the ten year census Census = official count of our population

Redistricting (AKA gerrymandering) Redrawing of congressional districts to reflect

increases or decreases in seats allotted to the states as well as population shifts within a state

Pearson Education, Inc. © 2006

Gerrymandering: good or bad?

Congressional Elections Who Wins Elections?

Incumbent: Officials already holding office.

Congressional Elections, cont.

The Advantages of Incumbents Name recognition:

Once the public knows you, they vote for you!

Advertising: The goal is to be visible to your voters. Frequent trips home & newsletters are used.

Credit Claiming: Service to individuals in their district.

Congressional Elections, cont. The Advantages of Incumbents

Weak Opponents: Most opponents are inexperienced in politics. Most opponents are unorganized and underfunded.

Campaign Spending: PACs give most of their money to incumbents. Why? Does PAC money “buy” votes in Congress?