The Members of The Members of CongressCongress
Ch. 8Sec. 1
Pp. 212-217
The Responsibilities of The Responsibilities of LawmakingLawmakingThey represent
constituents of their districts
They also have a responsibility to the whole nation
They have a responsibility to their political party
They have to balance the needs of these groups
Senator Heflin
The Responsibilities of The Responsibilities of LawmakingLawmaking
Their most important job is making laws
Interest groups and lobbyists provide campaign money
They vote on hundreds of bills a year
Members of Congress at WorkMembers of Congress at Work
Learn about issues on which they must vote
Go to meetings, discuss bills, study reports, read letters from constituents
Rely heavily on their staffs
Nancy PelosiSpeaker of the House
Representatives and SenatorsRepresentatives and Senators
Census every ten years to determine how many representatives each state gets
States draw boundaries for congressional districts
Serve for two yearsRep. Arthur Davis
Representatives and SenatorsRepresentatives and Senators
Two senators from each state
Serve six-year terms
One-third are elected every two years
Salary is $154,700
Sen. Richard Shelby
QuestionsQuestions
What do members of Congress have to balance?
a. The needs of lobbyists and special interest groups
b. The needs of senators and representatives
c. The needs of constituents and the nation
d. The needs of the President and a political party
QuestionsQuestions
A member of Congress is primarily responsible toa. the people he or she representsb. special interest groupsc. lobbyistsd. his or her governor
QuestionsQuestions
The most important job of Congress isa. leading our military forcesb. making lawsc. governing citiesd. helping lobbyists
QuestionsQuestions
Congress is made up ofa. presidents and vice presidentsb. judges and mayorsc. interest groups and lobbyistsd. representatives and senators
QuestionsQuestions
The job of a member of Congress includesa. discussing billsb. helping constituentsc. attending meetingsd. all of above
QuestionsQuestions
Which statement is true?a. There are more senators than
representatives in Congress.b. Representatives serve for longer terms
than senators. c. Representatives focus on the interests
of their whole state.d. Senators focus on the interests of their
whole state.
QuestionsQuestions
What is a requirement of all members of Congress?
a.serve for only two yearsb.at least 30 years oldc.live in the state that elects themd.U.S. citizens for at least nine years