How Congress is Organized
Ch 4 sec 1
Our Legislature: Congress
• Make Laws• Bicameral: 2 Houses– House of Representatives: based on population,
435 total– Senate: 2 Per State: 100 Total
Congressional Term
• How long they meet• 2 years• Each term is numbered, currently in 111th
term• Special Sessions: for crisis like times of war• Joint Sessions: House and Senate meet
together.
House of Representatives
• Based on Population– Census: every 10 years, determines population
• Congressional Districts– Constituents: People who live in the district – Drawn by the state Legislature– Gerrymander: Drawing districts odd shaped to get
a particular vote
House leaders
• Majority party Leader: party with the most members elect a leader
• Minority Party Leader: Party with the fewest members elect leader
• Party Whip: pressures party member to vote with party
Speaker of the house• Elected by
Majority Party• Overall leader of
Congress• Controls debates
on House Floor• 3rd in Line to
become President
The Senate
• Senate serves 6 year terms• Only 1/3 up for reelection at one time• Senate leaders– Vice President: Leader of the Senate• Votes when there is a tie
– Majority party and Minority Party leader:– President Pro-Tempore• Majority Party elects in the senate• 4th in line to become president
North Carolina’s Senators
Richard Burr Kay Hagan
Committee Work
• Break up the work load• 3 types of Committees– Standing Committees: Permanent Committees• Agriculture, Commerce, Veteran
– Select Committees: meet on special issues– Joint Committees: made up of the house and
senate
Committee Assignments
• Congressman to please constituents• Seniority: is used to determine who gets
which spots• Chair person most expeirienced.