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Congressional Membership

This section provides an overview of the membership of the U.S. Congress, including the composition of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the requirements to become a member, and the processes of apportionment and redistricting. It also discusses the changing diversity within Congress and the role of the Internet in campaigning.

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Congressional Membership

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  1. Congressional Membership Chapter 5 Section 1

  2. Section 1 Congressional Sessions • The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature,meaning it is made up of two houses: • the Senate, and • the House of Representatives. • Each Congressional term is two sessions, or meetings. • A session lasts one year and includes breaks for holidays and vacations.

  3. Section 1 Membership of the House • The House of Representatives has 435 members. • Members of the House must be: • at least 25 years old, • citizens of the U.S. for at least 7 years, and • legal residents of the state that elects them. • Members of the House are elected for two-year terms.

  4. Section 1 Membership of the House (cont.) • To assign representatives on the basis of population, the Census Bureau takes a national census, or population count, every 10 years. • Each state’s population determines the number of representatives it will have for the next 10 years through the process ofreapportionment. Congressional Apportionment, 2000

  5. Section 1 Membership of the House (cont.) • Redistricting is the process of setting up new district lines within each state after reapportionment. • State legislatures have abused their power to divide the state into congressional districts by gerrymandering—drawing distinct boundaries to give one party an electoral advantage. North Carolina CongressionalDistricts, 2002

  6. Section 1 Membership of the Senate • The Senate is composed of 100 members–two from each state. • All voters of each state elect senators at-large, or statewide, with no particular district. • The Senate and the House set their own salaries. Swings in Control of Congress

  7. Section 1 The Members of Congress (cont.) • In recent years, Congress has slowly begun to reflect more racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. • Membership in Congress changes slowly because incumbents—members who are already in office, often win reelection. • The Internet has joined TV and radio as an important campaigning tool.

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