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The Structure of Congress

This overview details the requirements for serving in the U.S. Congress, including qualifications for House and Senate members as prescribed by the Constitution. It highlights the age and citizenship criteria, the number of members in each chamber, and the differences in power dynamics between the House of Representatives and the Senate. Key aspects such as leadership roles, party discipline, and special constitutional powers are also compared. This guide serves as an essential resource for understanding the foundational elements of the U.S. legislative branch.

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The Structure of Congress

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  1. The Structure of Congress Libertyville High School

  2. Requirements to Serve • House “No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.” (Constitution 1, ii) • 25 years or older • 7 years citizen of US • Resident of state when elected

  3. Requirements to Serve • Senate “No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.” (Constitution, 1, iii) • 30 years or older • 9 years citizen • Resident of state when elected

  4. Number of House, Senate Members • House members? • 435 members + 6 non voting members (1 each from Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Northern Marianas, DC, US Virgin Islands, Guam • Illinois members • Senate members? • 100 members • Illinois members • Richard Durbin (D) • Mark Kirk (R)

  5. Comparing the Chambers House of Representatives US Senate Chamber of Minority Rights Formal Leadership = President pro tempore Actual leadership = Majority Leader Majority Party Power Weak! Party Discipline Weak Individual member’s power strong! Committees Strong! Rules Committee? No Special Constitutional Powers: try impeachments; a&c appointments; ratify treaties • Chamber of Majority Power • Formal Leadership = Speaker of the House • Actual leadership = Speaker of the House • Majority Party Power Strong! • Party Discipline Strong! • Individual Member’s power weak • Committees strong • Rules Committee? Yes • Special Constitutional Powers: impeach president; revenue bills

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