DO NOW: WORK ON
VOCABULARY
DNA #2: (Ch 10)
Okay, so members of the House of Representatives are
elected for terms that last only two years, then they
have to get re-elected, while Senators’ terms are a
full six years.
1. How could the length of a person’s term impact
how they behave or respond to the voters?
2. Which house of Congress will be more stable?
3. Who will be more connected with the voters?
Today you will be introduced into how the
Legislative Branch of Government works. You
need to know the basic differences and functions
of each of the two houses.
You also need to know who our current
representatives in Congress are.
As this section really only deals with one or two
standards, we will only spend just a few days on
each section.
Chapter 10: Congress
First, you need to know who represents us in the
national government:
Dianne Feinstein:
US Senator
Represents the State of
California
Democrat
Elected in 1992 (same
year as Bill Clinton)
Barbara Boxer:
US Senator
Represents the State
of California
Democrat
Elected in 1992 (same
year as Bill Clinton
and Dianne
Feinstein)
Mark Takano:
Member of the House of
Representatives
Represents the People of
our Congressional District
(which includes Riverside
and Moreno Valley)
Democrat
Elected in 2012
Barack H Obama:
President of the
United States
Represents the
United States of
America (actually
represents each
state)
Democrat
Elected in 2008
Purposes of Government (you should already
know these):
Legislative Branch: Makes Law
Executive Branch: Carries out/ enforces Law
Judicial Branch: Interprets Law
10.1: The National Legislature
1. Congress is bicameral (2 houses)
1. Purpose House of Representatives provides
protection to the more populous state,
Senate provides protection to the less
populous states.
2. Congressional term= length of time between
congressional elections (2 years).
Congressional session= 1 year.
On your QOTD (2.1), write down how you
think the House would represent the
interests (needs) of the larger states.
Then write down how you think the Senate
would represent the interests (and needs) of
the smaller states better.
When you are done, you will do a
Think/Pair/Share with your neighbor.
10.2: The House of Representatives
1. 435 Members of the House of Representatives.
10.2: The House of Representatives
1. 435 Representatives.
2. Seats in the House are divided up (apportioned)
among the states every 10 years, based on the
census.
10.2: The House of Representatives
1. 435 Representatives.
2. Seats in the House are divided up (apportioned)
among the states every 10 years, based on the
census.
3. Each state gets to draw the congressional
districts, which leads to questions of fairness.
10.2: The House of Representatives
1. 435 Representatives.
2. Seats in the House are divided up (apportioned)
among the states every 10 years, based on the
census.
3. Each state gets to draw the congressional
districts, which leads to questions of fairness.
4. Requirements for membership
25+ years
citizen for 7 years
resident of the state represented.
10.2: The House of Representatives
1. 435 Representatives.
2. Seats in the House are divided up (apportioned)
among the states every 10 years, based on the
census.
3. Each state gets to draw the congressional
districts, which leads to questions of fairness.
4. Requirements for membership: 25+, citizen for 7
years, resident of the state represented.
5. Off-Year Election—election for representatives in
a non-presidential election year. Usually has
lower voter turnout (’94, ‘10).
10.2: The House of Representatives
6. A term in the House of Representatives lasts for
only 2 years.
Why do you think the framers (writers) of the
Constitution wanted the house of congress
representing the people to be elected for terms
of only 2 years? Wouldn’t that make it less
stable?
Write down your opinion (QOTD 2.2), then
share your answer with your neighbor. We
will share as a class in about 2 minutes.
10.3: The Senate
1. 100 members, 2 per state.
10.3: The Senate
1. 100 members, 2 per state.
2. 1/3rd of senate seats come up for election each
election cycle. (The Senate is a continuous body,
in that it never contains a majority of new
senators).
10.3: The Senate
1. 100 members, 2 per state.
2. 1/3rd of senate seats come up for election each
election cycle. (The Senate is a continuous body,
in that it never contains a majority of new
senators).
3. Requirements:
30+ years old
citizen for 9+ years
resident of the state represented.
10.3: The Senate
1. 100 members, 2 per state.
2. 1/3rd of senate seats come up for election each
election cycle. (The Senate is a continuous body,
in that it never contains a majority of new
senators).
3. Requirements:
30+ years old
citizen for 9+ years
resident of the state represented.
4. A term in the Senate lasts for 6 years.
Consider how long terms in the Senate are, and
that only one third of the Senate comes up for
reelection every two years (unlike the House where
everyone has to get reelected). Why do you think
the Framers created the Senate as they did? What
advantage does the Senate have that the House
doesn’t?
Write your answer (QOTD 2.3), then share with
your neighbor.
10.4: The Members of Congress
There are several different roles of members of
Congress:
10.4: The Members of Congress
There are several different roles of members of
Congress:
1. As a Legislator, they make laws.
10.4: The Members of Congress
There are several different roles of members of
Congress:
1. As a Legislator, they make laws.
2. As a Member of a legislative committee, they
screen potential bills, and they make sure that
the Executive Branch of Government is doing
its job.
10.4: The Members of Congress
There are several different roles of members of
Congress:
1. As a Legislator, they make laws.
2. As a Member of a legislative committee, they
screen potential bills, and they make sure that
the Executive Branch of Government is doing
its job.
3. Congressmen and Congresswomen represent
and do favors for the people in their district
(their constituency).
10.4: The Members of Congress
There are several different roles of members of
Congress:
3. Congressmen and Congresswomen represent
and do favors for the people in their district
(their constituency).
4. Politicians—Acts as a liason between the
political party and the constituents.
Pull out your Vocabulary Assignment – make sure
you have the definition of “Reapportion” What
does it mean?
Once you have an idea, share it with your
neighbor.