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The Senate and the House of Representatives

The Senate and the House of Representatives. Two Houses of Congress. Congress Lawmaking body of the federal government Composed of two houses The Senate Equal representation of the states The House of Representatives Representation is based on state population

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The Senate and the House of Representatives

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  1. The Senate and the House of Representatives

  2. Two Houses of Congress • Congress • Lawmaking body of the federal government • Composed of two houses • The Senate • Equal representation of the states • The House of Representatives • Representation is based on state population • They did this in part to make sure that both small and large states would be fairly represented • Allows each house to check the actions of the other • The system prevents Congress from passing laws in haste

  3. The House of Representatives • How Membership is Divided • Census, taken every ten years, determines how many seats each state will receive • Originally only 65 members, the House has grown to 435 members, which is now the limit • Congressional Districts • District boundaries must be drawn, so each district is almost equal in population • State legislators draw the district • Sometimes they draw district lines that favor a particular political party, politician, or group of people, called gerrymandering

  4. The House of Representatives • Electing Representatives • Regular elections are held in Novermber of each even-numbered year • All representatives are elected for two-year terms • If a representative dies or resigns before the end of a term, the governor of the representative’s home state must call a special election to fill the vacancy

  5. The Senate • Regardless of size each state is to have two senators in the Senate • 100 members • Each senator represents the entire state • 6-year terms • Only 1/3 of the Senate’s membership comes up for election every two years • If a senator dies or resigns most states allow the governor to appoint someone

  6. Qualifications of Members • A representative in the House must: • Be at least 25 years old • Have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years • Be a legal resident of the state he or she represents • A Senator must: • Be at least 30 years old • Have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years • Be a legal resident of the state he or she represents

  7. Salary and Benefits • Congress receives a yearly salary of $145,100 • They receive an allowance to pay staff members • They also have franking privilege – the right to mail official letters or packages free of charge • They also have immunity or legal protection • They cannot be arrested in or on their way to or from a meeting in Congress

  8. Rules of Conduct • The House and Senate have passed codes of conduct for their members • Make full disclosure of their financial holdings • Cannot use campaign funds for personal expenses • Congressman can be expulsion from office • Less serious offenses may bring a vote of censure or formal disapproval of a member’s actions

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