Chapter 5The Legislative Branch

5-1 Congressional Membership

• The founders intended that the legislative branch have more power than any other branch. • Each term of congress starts on Jan. 3 of odd-numbered years and lasts two years.• It is divided into two sessions, or years.

• The House has 435 members.

• They are called “representatives,”“congressmen” or “congresswomen”

• Qualifications: – 25 years old– US citizen for 7 years– Legal resident of state that elects them– Traditionally live in their district

House of Representatives

• Reapportionment – Census is done every 10 years – If states gain or lose population, they gain or lose representatives

• Redistricting – states set up new congressional districts after reapportionment

House of Representatives

Gerrymandering – majority party draws district lines to gain an advantage.

Packing – packing opposing party’s voters into one district, so opposition will win, but other districts will be “safe.”

Cracking – dividing up opposing party’s voters into as many districts as possible, to dilute their vote.

Redistricting Abuses

• Qualifications– 30 years old– US citizen for 9 years– Legal resident of state they represent

• Term of Office– Six years– A third of senators elected every two years

Senate

• Automatic cost-of-living salary adjustments• “Franking privileges” – free postage for official business• Medical clinic, gymnasium• Large allowances to pay for office staff, assistants, trips home, phones, etc.• Income tax deduction to help maintain two residences• Free from all arrest, except in cases of treason, felony, and breach of the peace• Cannot be sued for anything they say on the House or Senate floor• Generous retirement

Senate Privileges

• Almost half of senators are lawyers• Typically white, middle-aged males• Average age is over 50• Congress is slowly becoming more diverse• About 90% of incumbents are reelected each term

Senator Statistics

5-2The House of Representatives,

5-3The Senate

House• Complex rules, to move legislation quickly.• Rules committee decides which bills reach the floor.

Senate• Fewer rules, to allow each senator full expression.• Unanimous consent governs which rules reach the floor.

Rules

House• Large • Regulated • Busy• Debate lasts less than a day

Senate• Small• Informal• Few senators present except at votes• Debate may last weeks or even months

Atmosphere & Debate

House• Speaker powerful

– Second in succession to president– Decides who may speak, in what order– May appoint committee chairs

Senate• President (US Vice President) may not vote (except in case of a tie), may not participate in debate, and is rarely there• President Pro Tempore usually presides• President has less control over Senators than Speaker has over Representatives

Power of Leader

House• Shorter term

Senate• Longer term• Fewer senators; more visible• More responsibility • More power – approvals, ratifications

Prestige

House• Rules – “traffic officer” for flow of legislation • Ways & Means• Appropriations

Senate• Foreign Relations• Finance• Appropriations

Important Committees

5-4Congressional Committees

5-5Staff and Support Agencies

Committees!• Allow members of congress to specialize• “Divide and conquer” huge number of bills to consider• Allow for more public input

Who really does the work?

Standing Committees – permanent• Subcommittees – subcategories of issues• Select Committees – temporary • Joint Committee – House & Senate members• Conference Committees – reconcile House

& Senate versions of same bill

Types of Committees

• Political parties assign members to committees • Committee chairs are powerful• Seniority usually governs committee assignments

Committee assignments

Staff!• Congress has too much to do• Issues have grown incredibly complex• Constituents expect a lot of assistance

Who really does the work?

Personal staff• Hired by senators or representatives• 2/3 at capital; 1/3 in home state

– Administrative Assistants – run offices– Legislative Assistants – research issues, draft bills, attend committee meetings for Senator or Representative– Caseworkers – handle constituent requests

for help

Committee staff• Work for committees – experts in their areas; study issues, draft bills, prepare reports

Types of Staff