Chapter 10, Section 4

The Members of Congress

Personal and Political Background

535 Members (435 in House, 100 in Senate) NOT representative of America

Average male in Congress is in his late 50s 78 women in the House and 17 in the Senate 42 African Americans 25 Hispanics 7 Asian Americans 1 Native American Nearly all members are married Most have backgrounds as lawyers Most members have at least a bachelor’s degree

The Job Members play 5 major roles:

Legislators (they make the laws) Representatives of their constituents (vote the way

people want them to vote) Committee members Servants of their constituents (they try to help people

in various dealings with the federal bureaucracy) Politicians (their goal is to be reelected)

Compensation Senators and Representatives are paid approximately

$174,000 per year (leadership positions merit more pay – Speaker of the House makes $556,500)

“Fringe benefits”: Special tax deductions Travel allowances Low fees for life and health insurance (there is a doctor on

Capitol Hill where they can get full medical care) Generous retirement plan Franking privilege – they can mail letters and other

materials postage-free

Other Benefits

Members of Congress cannot be arrested, except in cases of treason, during their attendance at the Session

Members cannot be sued for libel or slander that arises out of their political conduct