The House of Representatives And The Senate

Congressional Sessions

Each term of Congress has two sessions

Sessions last until Congress votes to adjourn

The House of Representatives # of members:

Length of term:

Age

435 Based on states’

population (census)

Serve for 2 years

25 years old

House of Reps (cont.)

Residency:

Leader

7 years a U.S. citizen

Live in the state you represent

Speaker of the House (next in line behind VP)

The Senate

# of members:

Length of term:

Age:

100 (two for each state)

Serve for 6 years (1/3 elected every two years)

30 years old

The Senate (cont.)

Residency:

Leader

9 years a U.S. citizen

Live in the state you represent

Vice President Also, floor leaders

and whips

Both Set their members’ salaries, they

receive numerous benefits, allowances for office staffs & business trips, tax breaks for maintaining two residences and pensions when retire

Immune from arrest – if not a felony or treason

Can not be sued for libel when in session May refuse to seat a member and may

censure or expel members

A & B Conversation

If you were a politician, would you rather be a member of the House or the Senate? Why?

The Members of Congress

½ are lawyers Most white, middle-aged males, but

increasingly starting to reflect the ethnic, racial and gender of nation.

Incumbent members win reelection to office b/c they’re well known, easier to raise campaign funds, and often represent gerrymandered districts

Starting to use internet as campaign tool

How a Bill Becomes a Law Complete “How a Bill becomes a Law”

graphic organizer.” Define – Bicameral Legislature, Session,

Census, redistrict, filibuster, gerrymandering, and incumbent

ADD to vocabulary list Define 27th Amendment Define the following types of committees

Standing Committee Select Committees Joint Committees Conference Committees