1. Chapter 5
The Legislative Branch

2. 5-1 Congressional Membership

3. • 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.

4. House of Representatives
• 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

5. 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

6. Redistricting Abuses
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.

7. • Qualifications
Senate
– 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

8. Senate Privileges
• 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

9. Senator Statistics
• 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

10. 5-2
The House of Representatives,
5-3
The Senate

11. Rules
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.

12. Atmosphere & Debate
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

13. Power of Leader
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

14. Prestige
House
• Shorter term
Senate
• Longer term
• Fewer senators; more visible
• More responsibility
• More power – approvals,
ratifications

15. Important Committees
House
• Rules – “traffic officer” for
flow of legislation
• Ways & Means
• Appropriations
Senate
• Foreign Relations
• Finance
• Appropriations

16. 5-4
Congressional Committees
5-5
Staff and Support Agencies

17. Who really does the work?
Committees!
• Allow members of congress to specialize
• “Divide and conquer” huge number of bills
to consider
• Allow for more public input

18. Types of Committees
Standing Committees – permanent
• Subcommittees – subcategories of issues
• Select Committees – temporary
• Joint Committee – House & Senate
members
• Conference Committees – reconcile House
& Senate versions of same bill

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

20. Who really does the work?
Staff!
• Congress has too much to do
• Issues have grown incredibly complex
• Constituents expect a lot of assistance

21. Types of Staff
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