The document provides an overview of the structure and roles of the United States Congress, which is made up of the House of Representatives and Senate. It details the composition and leadership positions of both chambers, as well as the key duties of Congress which include passing laws, representing constituents, and overseeing the federal government. Procedures like redistricting, filibusters, and the committee process are also summarized.

1. Congress MAKES LAWS

3. Who are your representatives

4. Purpose of reapportionment

5. Why redistricting is controversial

6. List the leadership roles in the House and Senate

9. Diversity is growing: 77 women, 39 African-Americans, 23 Latinos, 5 Asian Americans, 3 Native AmericansDuties of Congress: Pass Laws Represent what they think is best for their constituents Oversee the workings of the federal government Help their constituents solve problems with the federal government VOCAB CHECK: What is a constituent?

12. Democrat

13. Elected 1993

14. Age 69

15. Diane Feinstein

16. Democrat

17. Elected 1992

19. (9th District)

20. Oakland

21. Democrat

22. Elected 1998

23. Age 64

24. Committee on Appropriations

25. Financial Services

26. Labor, Health & Human Services, Education

27. Committee on Foreign Affairs

28. Africa and Global Health

30. Census changes representation every 10 years

31. Redistricting

32. Drawing new districts on the map

33. Determining who to represent

34. Gerrymandering

35. Creating a district in favor of one party

36. Redistricting biasWhen is the next census?

37. The House of Representatives Democrats (Majority Party) Speaker: Nancy Pelosi Leader: Steny Hoyer Whip: James Clyburn Republicans (Minority Party) Leader: John Boehner Whip: Eric Cantor next in line to president after VP; appoints committees; presiding officer Criticizes majority party programs; helps speaker; schedules bills; guides party; helps speaker; schedules bills; guides party; assistant to leader; talks to reps. before a vote an tries to convince them how to vote assistant to leader; talks to reps. before a vote an tries to convince them how to vote What is a caucus?

38. House Committees Committee: small group of representatives who work on the details of a bill Only 10-20% of bills are “reported out of committee” House Rules Committee: “traffic cop” Decides how fast a bill will be voted on Can keep bills from being voted on Can limit how long a bill is debated on

39. The Senate President of the Senate: Joseph Biden President Pro Tempore: Robert Byrd Majority Leader: Harry Reid Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell

40. Filibuster Filibuster: talk until a bill is withdrawn (minority power) Cloture: limit the time length of filibuster (3/5ths majority)

41. Get Your Congress On! C-SPAN: Cable Television airs non-stop coverage of government proceedings and public affairs programming.