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Legislative Branch Congressional Structure Congress SENATE 100 (2*50) 2 Per state 6 Yrs Total people # of Reps for state Length of terms 30 Yrs 9 Yrs State State Gov. Qualifications Age Citizen of US Residency Constituents HOUSE 435 %Pop 2 Yrs 25 Yrs 7 Yrs District District Residents Terms and Sessions • • • • • • Congressional Term - 2 yrs Session- 1 Year Work day: Tuesday - Thursday. Working time: Noon to 5 – 6 o’clock. Recess = temporary break for 3 days or more Special Session= Meeting Outside of regular hours • Joint Session= Both House and Senate Meeting • “State of the Union” Called by president Determining Representatives • Census = Counting the population every 10 years • Reapportion = Redistributing representatives based on new population totals • Redistrict = District lines are redrawn due to population changes and to account for possible addition or subtraction of representative districts • Gerrymander = drawing district lines based on some characteristic other than just population – a) Discriminatory gerrymandering – b) Misrepresentation Congressional Representation • Delegate- votes the way the people (constituents) would vote • Trustee – votes the way they believe, they are the professional • Politico – votes the way that will help them get reelected • Partisan – votes the way the party wants them to vote Congressional Leadership Leadership in the United States Senate PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE The Vice President of the United States Vice President Joe Biden Job: Presiding Officer of the Senate Breaks tie in legislation. Otherwise does not vote. Leadership in the United States Senate PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE The Vice President of the United States Job: Presides over the Senate when the Vice President is absent. Orrin Hatch (R-PA) PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE Selected by majority party. Usually most senior member of the Senate majority party Leadership in the United States Senate Majority Leader Minority Leader Job: Leads the majority party Job: Leads the minority party and leads opposition and shepherds legislation Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) Sen. Harry Reid (D) Other Senate Positions • Secretary of Senate – Top administrator • Parliamentarian, Chaplain, Sergeant at arms. Georgia’s Representation Senator David Purdue Senator Johnny Isakson AND Leadership in the House of Representatives SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE Selected by the majority party Job: Presiding Officer of the House Decides which committee a bill goes to. Makes Committee Assignments Paul Ryan (R-WI) Elected Speaker in 2015 Leadership in the House of Representatives SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE Selected by the majority party Majority Leader Job: Leads the majority party and shepherds legislation Kevin McCarthy (R-Ca) Minority Leader Job: Leads the minority party and leads opposition Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca) Other Congressional Positions • Secretary of Senate/Clerk of House does administrative duties. • Parliamentarian keeps rule on debate. • Sergeant at Arms keep order. • Chaplain prays before debate. • Official Reporters writes every single word in meeting. • Post Master sees that everything is distributed. Georgia’s Representation • Georgia currently has 14 congressional districts. • McEachern’s current congressional district is the 13th represented by: David Scott (D) Georgia’s Congressional District Map Congressional Rules and Benefits Congressional Rules • Loyalty- do not share congressional secrets with the media • Civility – treat each other with respect • Seniority – the most senior members get choices of assignments and leadership positions • Specialization – become an expert in areas on committees • Reciprocity-support for each others bill Compensation and Benefits Salary $174,000 per year • The current salary (2011) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is. • • Speaker of the House - $223,500, Other Leaders - $193,400 Outside Income allowed • Pension Plan and Retirement Income • Increases as cost of living does. (27th Amendment) Office, Staff, Computer service Expense Accounts, Travel expense, Foreign Trips Franking Privilege – Free Stationary and Postage TV and radio broadcast Incumbent - currently in office and running for reelection Privileges and Penalties • Congressional Immunity • Freedom of Expression in Congressional Records • Codes of Ethics • Expel Members with 2/3rd vote. • Censure Members – give a fine or penalty Congressional Powers Congressional Powers Legislative Powers 1.Provide for common defense 2.Make rules on citizenship 3.Run Armed Services 4.Declare War 5.Run Washington D.C. 6.Raise Money 7.Regulate Trade 1. Duties – taxes on imports 2. Excises – taxes on particular goods Congressional Powers 8. Spend Money 9. Coin and set standards on money 10. Post Office 11. Copy Rights and Patents 12. Establish Federal Courts 13. Set number of Supreme Court Justices Congressional Powers II. Non-Legislative Powers 1. Approve Presidential Appointments (V.P., Justices, and Cabinet) 2. Approve Formal Agreements with Foreign Nations (Treaties) 3. Impeachment (Majority in House)/Convict and Remove Federal Officials (2/3rds in Senate) 4. Admit New States to the Union Congressional Powers II. Non-Legislative Powers 5. Amend the Constitution 6. Counts Electoral Votes (If no majority: -the House will elect the Pres. / the Senate will elect the V.P. 7. Gov. “Watchdog” – Congressional committees can hold hearings and investigations, call witnesses, and make recommendations. Congress in Your Life… Make the Laws Oversight Inform us of the laws Constituent services Congress is Important! For Georgia! And for you!