Chapter 8 - Congress: Members and Elections Section 1 - Members of Congress The Great Compromise and Congress As a result of the

Great Compromise, Congress is made up of two housesin other words, it is a bicameral structure. The two houses of Congress are the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate was established to give smaller states more power relative to the larger states. The House of Representatives was established to give large states more power relative to small states The Senate Each state has two members in the Senate. As each state has been added to the Union, the Senate has grown by two members. Senators serve 6-year terms. The Senate is a continuous body because not all of the senators are elected at the same time. Only one-third of the senators face election every 2 years. Senators can serve an unlimited number of terms. The House of Representatives The House has 435 seats apportioned (distributed) among the states according to population. Each state has at least one representative. Every 10 years, the House seats are reapportioned (redistributed). States that have gained population gain seats, and states that have lost population lose seats. In Wesberry v. Sanders (1964), the U.S. Supreme Court said House districts must be equal in population. Redrawing districts to make them equal is redistricting. House members serve 2-year terms. In most states, they can serve an unlimited number of terms. Discipline in Congress Congress has the authority to discipline or punish members. Congresss most serious punishment is expulsion, or removal from office. Expulsion requires a two-thirds vote by the members of the proper chamber. Expulsion has been used in two types of cases: Disloyalty to the U.S. government Violation of a criminal law involving abuse of power Discipline in Congress Congress can also censure members with a formal majority vote of disapproval. Censure does not remove the congressperson from office. Members fear censure because it can severely limit their effectiveness and chances for reelection. Some members of Congress have resigned rather than face discipline. Gerrymandering Gerrymandering is drawing district lines to benefit some groups and hurt others.

To decrease gerrymandering, the Supreme Court ruled that districts must be contiguous and of equal population. In pro-incumbent gerrymandering, districts are redrawn to favor people already in office. In partisan gerrymandering, districts are redrawn to favor a particular political party. In racial gerrymandering, districts are redrawn to favor or harm an ethnic or racial group. Racial Gerrymandering Racial gerrymandering was traditionally used to favor whites over African Americans. The 1965 Voting Rights Act was passed to protect minority rights and stop practices such as gerrymandering. Since 1982, district lines have been drawn to increase the chances that minorities will be elected to Congress. In the new majority-minority districts, African Americans or Hispanics make up the majority. Section 2 - Running for Congress Who Can Run? A representative must: Be at least 25 years of age Have been a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years Live in the state and district that he or she represents A senator must: Be at least 30 years of age Have been a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years Live in the state that he or she represents Current Characteristics of Congressional Officers Candidates for Congress are likely to be ideologues (have strong belief systems). Examples: conservative Republicans, liberal Democrats Candidates are motivated by strong personal convictions and values. Candidates are likely to have a strong base of supporters having ideologically similar political parties, including interest groups and individuals. Ideological supporters will help finance and promote campaigns. Perks of Serving in Congress Members of Congress enjoy: Power, prestige, and a good salary Health insurance, life insurance, and a pension Travel allowances and ample staff The franking privilege (free mail service) The benefits help keep members in the media. Positive exposure may lead to successful runs for higher offices. Example: Senator Barack Obama Drawbacks of Serving in Congress Members work long hours with very little job security. Members spend much time away from friends and family. Some members report that: Conflict levels between members are high

Interest group pressure is great Reelection campaigning is time-consuming Successful Campaigning Experienced candidates have: Political connections Knowledge about how to campaign Established voter relationships Inexperienced candidates gain experience by: Working for other candidates Serving as a precinct chair Holding office in a political party organization Planning to Win Strategic politicians use strategies to increase their chances of winning. Strategic politicians consider these questions: 1. Is this the right district or state for me? 2. Is the incumbent a member of my party, another party, or not running? 3. Do I have access to enough funds to run an effective campaign? 4. Nationally, how is my party doing?

How National Politics Affects Elections Coattail effect: If the leaders of a party are popular, candidates are more likely to get elected. Historically, the party of the president tends to lose midterm elections (also called off-year elections). Section 3 - Who Serves in Congress? Is Congress Elitist? Descriptive representation = Legislature that mirrors the demographics of the people it represents Members of Congress are often not descriptively representative of their constituents. Members of Congress are well-educated and tend to be wealthy lawyers and businesspeople. Most Americans are skilled or semi-skilled service or clerical workers. People who are poor, less educated, women, and minorities are underrepresented in Congress. Congressional Occupations Traditionally, members of Congress have been businessmen, lawyers, and politicians. The professional background of members is widening. Current members of Congress include people who have been musicians, morticians, and meat cutters. Example: Jim Bunning, a Hall of Fame pitcher, was elected to the Senate in 1998 and 2004.

Congressional Education and Income Members are better educated than the average American. Congress: Most have a college degree, and over 75 percent have a graduate degree. General population: Only 28 percent have a college degree, and 9 percent have a graduate degree. Members receive a generous salary, and many were millionaires before election. Female Representation Women are assuming more positions in Congress. Their political status ha grown with the importance of issues that particularly concern them, like family leave policy. In 1992, the Year of the Woman, women significantly increased their numbers in the House and Senate. In 2006, Nancy Pelosi was elected as the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives. Minority Representation Congressional representation by blacks has steadily increased. Example: Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) heads the House Ways and Means Committee. Keith Ellison (D-MN) became the first Muslim congressman. Hispanic populations are underrepresented. This may change as the U.S. Hispanic population increases. Racial gerrymandering allows for the election of minorities. The Impact of Diversity Women and minorities in Congress have brought about significant changes in public policy. Female members force examination of issues such as the treatment of women in the military. Hispanic candidates tend to have diverse agendas. African American members exert influence through the Congressional Black Caucus.