Size, Qualifications, The Job and Pay


Members – 435 Set by Reapportionment Act of
1929


Apportion – Distribute
Reapportion – Redistribute (Every 10 years after the Census)



Tuesday after the first Monday of even numbered years. Therefore,
A House term is two years.

Elections outside of presidential years are called “off year elections.”


Districts been drawn to the benefit of the party that controls the legislature.


A) To pack opposition
B) To spread opposition too thin



Wesberry v. Sanders – Near Equal Population
Race – Can not be the controlling factor, but can be part of a mix of factors


Only works for Single Member Districts
At Large Districts eliminate the problem


25 Years Old

Citizen for at least 7 years

Inhabitant of the state from which they are elected
Compare to the Senate








Party Identification
Name familiarity
Gender
Ethnicity
Experience
Incumbency
Fundraising ability


100 Members

2 (per state) x 50 (states) = 100 members

Represent Entire State


Originally chosen by State Legislatures

17 th Amendment – Direct Election of Senators
(1913)

Only one Senator per state in any election


Senators serve for 6 years

Continuous Body – all of its seats are never up at the same time (1/3 in three consecutive elections)


Due to size, Senators are more likely to be seen as national leaders and are more likely to garner attention from the media in their states.

The Senate is the primary source of contenders from the presidency from both parties.


30 Years Old

Citizen for at least 9 years

Inhabitant of the State from which they are elected
Compare to the House






Legislators – Make Laws
Representatives – Represent Constituents
Committee Members – Screen proposals and decide if they get floor consideration
Servants of Constituents – Casework
Politicians – Win elections





1. Delegate – Agents of the people who vote the way the “folks back home” want them to.
2. Trustee – Vote their conscience only
3. Partisans – Owe allegiance to their party
4. Politicos – Attempt to combine the basic elements of the other three roles




Salary - $174,000
Floor Leaders - $ 193, 400
Speaker - $223,500




Tax deduction for multiple residences
Travel allowances
Healthcare
Retirement/Pension Plan






Offices in D.C. and at home
Staff members
Franking Privilege – Free mail
Free Printing
Gym Membership

Legislative Immunity – No arrest going to or from session or while in session; Can not be taken to court over things said on official duty.