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Congress

Congress. The National Legislature. Our Constitution sets up a bicameral Congress Two houses House of Representatives Senate The Framers of the Constitution set up a two house Congress for three reasons Historical Practical Theoretical. Historical.

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Congress

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  1. Congress

  2. The National Legislature • Our Constitution sets up a bicameral Congress • Two houses • House of Representatives • Senate • The Framers of the Constitution set up a two house Congress for three reasons • Historical • Practical • Theoretical

  3. Historical • British Parliament made up of two houses • Most colonial assemblies and state legislatures hade been bicameral

  4. Practical • The Framers had to settle the conflict between the large states and small states in regards to representation issues • Based on population? • Based on equality? • Each state is represented equally in the Senate • Representation is based on population in the House

  5. Theoretical • A two house Congress would allow for one house to act as a check on the other house • Remember – Checks & Balances

  6. Terms and Sessions of Congress • A term of congress last two years • The 20th Amendment to the Constitution states that each new two-year term begins at “noon of the 3d day of January” • Congress has the power to “appoint a different day” • A term of Congress is made up of two sessions • A session is when Congress actually assembles to conduct business

  7. Terms and Sessions of Congress • Congress has the power to adjourn, or suspend, each regular session as it sees fit • Congress remains in session through most of each year • President has the power to prorogue (end or discontinue) a session if the two houses cannot agree on a date for adjournment • The President may call a special session of Congress to deal with emergency situations • Only 26 special sessions have ever been held • May call all of Congress, or just the House or Senate • Threats of special sessions

  8. The House of Representatives • Each state is apportioned seats in the House based on population • Nevada = 3 • California = 53 • These numbers may be changing very soon due to the recent census! • The size of the House is set by Congress • In 1929, the size of the House was permanently set at 435

  9. The House of Representatives • Every state is guarantees at least oneseatin the House • The number of seats each state has can be reapportioned (redistributed) every 10 years based on the outcome of the census • Because the House is permanently set 435, if one state gains seats, then another must lose seats • Nevada may gain or lose seats this year

  10. Qualifications for the House • In order to run and hold a seat in the House of Representative, you must meet certain criteria set out in the Constitution: • You must be at least 25 years old • You must have been a citizen of the US for at least 7 years • You must be an inhabitant of the state from which you are elected • According to long standing custom, most candidates are also required to live in the district that they represent

  11. Congressional Elections • Congressional elections are held on the same day in every state • The first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of each even numbered year • A congressional election that is held on a “nonpresidential” year is called an off-year election! • During an off-year election, it is typical for the party that holds the presidency to loss seats in Congress

  12. Extra Credit Oppurtunity • For 10 points extra credit, please tell me • 1) the exact date of the next Congressional election • 2) whether or not it is an off-year election, and • 3) which party is likely to gain seats in Congress! • Due at the beginning of next class!

  13. Congressional Districts • A member of the House typically represents a district within a state • State legislatures are responsible for drawing the Congressional district within their state • District are required by law to meet certain criteria: • A district must be made up of “contiguous territory” • Must be all one piece • Each district in a state must have roughly the same population

  14. Gerrymandering • Sometimes, Congressional districts may be drawn in odd shapes; these districts are usually the result of gerrymandering • To gerrymander means to draw the district in a way that will benefit the party in power (state legislature) • To concentrate the oppositions voters in one or few districts • To spread the opposition as thinly as possible

  15. Congressional Districts • Congressional districts are set up under the basis of the single-member district • Only people living in the district may vote for the representative for that district • Some states used to use the at-large system • All people in the state voted for all Reps for the state • Considered unfair

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