How Congress is Organized

Ch 4 sec 1

Our Legislature: Congress

• Make Laws• Bicameral: 2 Houses– House of Representatives: based on population,

435 total– Senate: 2 Per State: 100 Total

Congressional Term

• How long they meet• 2 years• Each term is numbered, currently in 111th

term• Special Sessions: for crisis like times of war• Joint Sessions: House and Senate meet

together.

House of Representatives

• Based on Population– Census: every 10 years, determines population

• Congressional Districts– Constituents: People who live in the district – Drawn by the state Legislature– Gerrymander: Drawing districts odd shaped to get

a particular vote

House leaders

• Majority party Leader: party with the most members elect a leader

• Minority Party Leader: Party with the fewest members elect leader

• Party Whip: pressures party member to vote with party

Speaker of the house• Elected by

Majority Party• Overall leader of

Congress• Controls debates

on House Floor• 3rd in Line to

become President

The Senate

• Senate serves 6 year terms• Only 1/3 up for reelection at one time• Senate leaders– Vice President: Leader of the Senate• Votes when there is a tie

– Majority party and Minority Party leader:– President Pro-Tempore• Majority Party elects in the senate• 4th in line to become president

North Carolina’s Senators

Richard Burr Kay Hagan

Committee Work

• Break up the work load• 3 types of Committees– Standing Committees: Permanent Committees• Agriculture, Commerce, Veteran

– Select Committees: meet on special issues– Joint Committees: made up of the house and

senate

Committee Assignments

• Congressman to please constituents• Seniority: is used to determine who gets

which spots• Chair person most expeirienced.