Congressional Membership Overview

Congressional Structure

• Congress is a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• Congressional terms begin on January 3 of odd years.
• Senators serve 6-year terms with 2 senators per state, while House representatives serve 2-year terms, totaling 435 representatives.

House of Representatives

• Qualifications for House members include being at least 25 years old, a citizen for 7 years, and a state resident.
• 90% of House representatives are reelected, reflecting a strong incumbent advantage.
• Representation is apportioned based on the U.S. Census every 10 years, allowing for reapportionment.
• Redistricting involves establishing new district boundaries; it can lead to gerrymandering, the manipulation of district lines to favor a particular party.

Senate

• Senate qualifications require members to be at least 30 years old, a citizen for 9 years, and a state resident.
• Senators are elected by the voters of their state during even-numbered years.
• The 27th Amendment prevents Congress from giving itself a pay raise until after the next election.

Leadership in the House

• The Speaker of the House is the most powerful leader, chosen by the majority party, and is second in presidential succession.
• Majority and Minority leaders team with Whips to manage party strategy and track votes.

Lawmaking Process in the House

• Most legislative work occurs in committees, with the Speaker scheduling bills for consideration.
• The House Rules Committee plays a critical role in determining how bills are presented and voted upon.
• A quorum, requiring 218 members, is necessary for voting on bills.

Senate Functions

• The Senate is led by a majority leader who directs legislative priorities and ensures member attendance.
• The Vice President presides over the Senate and only votes in case of ties.
• Filibuster allows extended debate on legislation, while cloture restricts debate time for senators.

Role of Committees

• Committees are essential in dividing labor within Congress and examining specific issues.
• Types of committees include standing, select, joint, and conference committees, each serving unique purposes.
• Seniority often determines committee leadership positions.

Congressional Staff

• Congressional staff manage workloads, coordinate communications with constituents, and support committee functions.
• Types of staff include administrative assistants, legislative assistants, and caseworkers, each with specific responsibilities.

Support Agencies

• The Library of Congress is the largest library globally, housing extensive resources to aid congressional work.
• The Congressional Budget Office evaluates budget proposals and projects program costs.
• The Government Accountability Office reviews government programs' financial management and provides oversight.
• The Government Printing Office handles official publications and printing needs for Congress.

Congress Overview

• Congress is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives.
• Established to hold more power than other government branches, reflecting the founders' emphasis on the lawmaking process.
• James Madison regarded Congress as "the First Branch of this Government."

Congressional Sessions

• Each Congress term starts on January 3 of odd-numbered years and lasts two years.
• Every Congress has two sessions; each session spans one year with recesses for holidays.
• Congress requires mutual approval between the House and Senate for adjournment beyond three days.

House of Representatives Membership

• Comprising 435 members, the House is larger than the Senate.
• Representation is based on population; every state gets at least one seat.
• Members must be at least 25 years old, U.S. citizens for 7 years, and residents of their state.
• House members serve two-year terms with elections every even-numbered November.

Redistricting

• States redraw congressional district boundaries every ten years after apportionment.
• District lines can be manipulated, leading to gerrymandering, where boundaries are drawn for political advantage.
• House members generally serve longer due to high reelection rates exceeding 90%.

Legislative Salary and Benefits

• The Twenty-seventh Amendment limits Congress from raising salaries; increases take effect after an election.
• Members receive benefits like franking privilege, medical clinics, and significant allowances for office expenses.

Member Privileges

• Members are protected from arrest while attending Congress, except for serious offenses.
• They cannot be sued for statements made during Congress proceedings but can face consequences for statements outside official meetings.

Rules Committee Function

• The Rules Committee manages the flow of major bills in the House, controlling debate and revision limits.
• It can prioritize certain bills and resolve disputes among committees over jurisdiction.

Historical Context

• Colonists governed themselves largely due to geographical distance from Great Britain, leading to representative self-rule.
• Committees serve as the backbone of Congressional structure, with substantial staffing to assist in legislative processes.

Personal Staff Roles

• Lawmakers employ various personal staff, including administrative assistants (AAs) and legislative assistants (LAs).
• AAs oversee the lawmaker's office and schedule, while LAs inform lawmakers about bills, conduct research, and assist in committee meetings.

Legislative Process and Meetings

• Lawmakers rely on LAs to stay informed, as they can't attend all committee meetings.
• LAs prepare materials for lawmakers, ensuring they are ready for discussions and debates on the House or Senate floor.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

• Established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the authority to invalidate legislative and executive actions.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

• Upheld the supremacy clause of the Constitution, allowing federal laws to take precedence over state laws.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

• Asserted that the federal government has the power to regulate interstate commerce, reinforcing federal authority.

Korematsu v. United States (1944)

• Ruled that during wartime, the government could limit civil liberties to protect national security, specifically regarding internment camps for Japanese Americans.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

• Established the "separate but equal" doctrine, legitimizing racial segregation in public facilities.

Brown v. Board of Education Topeka, Kansas (1954)

• Declared that segregated schools were unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson and promoting desegregation.

Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

• Affirmed that slaves were not citizens and could not sue in federal court, highlighting the injustices of slavery.

Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (1964)

• Held that private businesses could not discriminate based on race, applying civil rights laws to private establishments.

Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education (1971)

• Upheld busing as a method for achieving school desegregation, stressing the importance of enforcing integration measures.

Bakke v. The Board of Regents of the University of California (1978)

• Addressed affirmative action in college admissions, ruling that racial quotas were unconstitutional but affirmed the need for diversity.

Gregg v. Georgia (1976)

• Confirmed the constitutionality of the death penalty as long as it was applied fairly and without discrimination.

Furman v. Georgia (1972)

• Ruled that the death penalty, as applied in certain cases, constituted cruel and unusual punishment, leading to moratoriums in its application.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

• Established the exclusionary rule, preventing the use of illegally obtained evidence in court proceedings.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

• Held that the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel for criminal defendants, ensuring legal representation.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

• Mandated that individuals taken into police custody must be informed of their rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985)

• Ruled that students may be searched in schools if there is reasonable suspicion that a violation of law or school rules has occurred.

Tinker v. Des Moines School District (1969)

• Affirmed that students have the right to free speech in schools, provided it does not disrupt educational activities.

Bethel School District v. Fraser (1986)

• Confirmed that schools can prohibit lewd or indecent speech during school events, balancing student rights with educational standards.

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

• Allowed school administrators to exercise editorial control over student newspapers, limiting students' free speech rights within educational contexts.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

• Prohibited school-sponsored prayer in public schools, reinforcing the establishment clause of the First Amendment.

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

• Affirmed the right to burn the American flag as a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

• Established a woman's legal right to choose an abortion, balancing personal privacy with state interests.

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

• Recognized a right to privacy concerning marital contraception, influencing later rulings on privacy laws.

United States v. Nixon (1972)

• Limited the scope of "executive privilege," ruling that the president is not above the law and must comply with judicial demands for evidence.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

• Established that free speech can be limited during wartime, setting the precedent for the "clear and present danger" test.

Explore the structure and membership of the U.S. Congress in this quiz. Learn about the bicameral system, terms of service, and the roles of both the Senate and House of Representatives. Test your knowledge of congressional terms and functions.