The Legislative Branch 2018 Mark Twain n

The Legislative Branch 2018

Mark Twain n “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself” What is expressed in this quote? Why are members of Congress subject to comments by people such as Jimmy Fallon, Jay Leno, Jon Stewart, etc. ?

Importance of Congress Framers believed Congress would be immensely important. n First article (and longest) of the Constitution is dedicated to the Legislative body of the government of the U. S. n

Congressman Aaron Schock (Resigned/Special Election to be held)

Preview Answer the following questions on a piece of paper: 1. From the photograph and biography, what facts do you know about Congressman Schock? 2. What things about Aaron Schock do you think are typical for a member of Congress? What things might be atypical? 3. What aspects of his background do you think would help make Aaron Schock an effective legislator? Explain. 4. Why will you and some of your parents not be able to vote for Aaron Schock in this election? Once you have completed the Preview, share your responses with a partner or with the class. 5

Aaron Schock

Congressman Darin Lahood Residence: Dunlap, IL Marital Status: Married Previous Occupation: Ill. State Senate, Tazewell State’s Attorney’s Office, Lawyer (Miller, Hall, and Triggs) Previous Political: Illinois State Senate Education: Academy/Spalding High School, Loras College, John Marshall Law School Birthdate: 8/12/1928; Peoria, IL Religion: Roman Catholic

What makes for an effective legislator?

Congress n General Information n Bi-cameral, meaning two houses. • House of Representatives – lower house • The “closest to the people” • state representation based on population • Senate – upper house • Equal state representation (2 per state) n Created by Article I of the Constitution • A result of the Great Compromise or Connecticut Compromise • NJ plan favored equal representation for states • Virginia plan favored larger states with higher populations.

Congressional Sessions n Each Congress meets for two years. n Congresses are divided into two sessions. • 1 st Session is in odd numbered years following elections. • 2 nd Session is in even, election years. n Congresses are numbered – the Congress elected in 2008 is the 111 th Congress and officially began the 1 st Session Tuesday, January 6 th

n What is the number of the current Congress?

114 th Congress: Gender and Ethnicity n n n Males: 427 House: 347; Senate: 80 Females: 108 House: 88; Senate: 20 African/Americans: 48 House: 46; Senate: 2 Hispanics: 38 House: 34; Senate: 4 Asian: 14 House: 13; Senate: 1

114 th Congress: Average Age n House of Representatives: 57 n Senate: 61

114 th Congress: Religion

House of Representatives n 435 Members • Formal Qualifications: • At least 25 years old. • A citizen for at least 7 years. • A resident of the state. • Common characteristics of members: • Most have been and are white men. • Lots of Lawyers. • Experience in government (State or local level). n Representatives serve 2 year terms. • All 435 members must be reelected every 2 years.

Congressional Leaders n In both houses, the political party that controls more than half of the seats is known as the majority party. The other is the minority party. n Gaining control of a house of Congress has many advantages…. n

n. Party Makeup of House

n. Party Makeup of Senate

Congressional Leaders n The majority party provides the leadership of that House. n House of Representatives • Leader is the Speaker of the House, chosen from the majority party. • Speaker is third in line to the Presidency. • Speaker and majority party has significant power over the legislative process. • The Speaker for the 114 th Congress is Paul Ryan, after a vote taken.

House of Representatives Leadership continued… • Majority Leader – leader of the majority party “on the floor. ” • Kevin Mc. Carthy (R-CA) • Majority Whip – assists the speaker and majority leader in “whipping up” support for legislation. • Steve Scalise (R-LA)

House of Representatives Leadership continued… • Minority Leader – leader of the minority party “on the floor. ” • Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) • Minority Whip – assists the minority leader. • Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

House of Representatives n Every state is guaranteed at least 1 delegate to the House. • Number of representatives is determined by population. • Population is counted every 10 years by the census. • Representatives are elected from districts (in states with more than 1 representative)

Representation Changes after the 2000 Census

Seats gained/lost after 2010 census

Illinois Congressional Map from 2003 -2012

Illinois Congressional Map from 2012 - ?

House of Representatives n Congressional districts are drawn by state legislatures. • Reapportionment occurs when reps are added/taken • Districts are NOT to be drawn in a way that is advantageous for a certain group (political party, etc) • Gerrymandering – drawing an odd-shaped district for political advantage • The Most Gerrymandered Congressional Districts

The Senate n Qualifications: n n At least 30 years old. Citizen for at least 9 years. Resident of the state. Common characteristics: n n n White, male. Lawyers. Experience in government (state, House of Reps. , etc).

The Senate n Terms of Office n Senators serve terms that last 6 years. • Approximately 1/3 of the Senate is up for reelection every 2 years. n There are 2 Senators elected from each state for a total of 100

Illinois Senators

Illinois’s Senators n Richard Durbin - (D) Elected to the Senate in 1996; from Springfield n Up for election in 2014 n Filled Senate seat of mentor, Sen. Paul Simon n

n Tammy Duckworth – (D) Elected in 2016 by defeating incumbent Mark Kirk (R) n Iraq War veteran (lost both legs and partial use of right arm); Purple Heart recipient; retired as Lieutenant Colonel in 2014 n Former Assistant Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs n

n. Member of the House for 2 terms n. Married with a daughter

Congressional Leaders n Senate Leadership • Official President of the Senate is the Vice President of the United States. • Only votes in case of a tie. • Rarely is present in the Senate. • Mike Pence

Senate Leadership continued… • Day-to-day leader of the Senate is the President Pro Tempore, normally the most senior member of the majority party. • Does not have as much power as the Speaker. • Currently, Orrin Hatch (R-PA) • Majority Leader • Mitch Mc. Connell (R-KY) • Assistant Majority Leader (Whip) • John Cornyn (R-TX) • Minority Leader • Chuck Schumer (D-NY) • Assistant Minority Leader (Whip) • Dick Durbin (D-IL)

Senate Leadership n Constitutionally Mandated: Mike Pence

Republican Leadership

Democratic Leadership

Congressional Compensation n Salary: Congress: $174, 000 Speaker of House: $223, 500 Vice President: $230, 700 President Pro Tem: $193, 400 Floor Leaders: $193, 400

n Non Salary: - Special tax deductions - Travel expenses - Health Insurance - Retirement Plan/Pension ($150, 000) - Franking Privileges - Perks: Parking, Printing, etc.