Structure of Congress
Introduction to Chapter 13
AP US Government
Congressional Review
• Introduce Institutions units: SOTU in 67 Secs.
• Discuss E-Congress components and
requirements.
• Go over review information.
• Highlight areas you may need to study.
Congress versus Parliament
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Run as individuals in
party primary
Members are loyal to
constituents
Congressional voting
is independent of
the President
Daily work takes
place in committees
Members have many
benefits & perks,
good pay
Members have large
staffs
• Both are
legislatures
• Both are
bicameral
• Lower
houses
elected by
districts
• Lower
houses are
the larger
bodies
• The Party
chooses who
runs for seats
• Members are loyal
to party
• Voting is based on
support of PM
agenda, choose PM
• Daily work is in
debates
• Have few perks, low
pay
• Members have few
to no staff
Congressional Organizer
Leader
Size
# based on state
population by the
Census every 10
years. The 435
seats are
reapportioned.
All 435 elected each
term by district. Some
state’s districts have
gerrymanders.
Speaker of the
House chosen by
majority party. Paul
Ryan is current
Speaker (R)
Term
Serve 2-yr termsno limit on times
Unique Powers:
All Appropriation bill start in HOR.
Have impeachment power.
Qualifications
Must be 25, 7-yr. Citizen &
State resident.
Leader
The Vice President
is President of the
Senate. Joe Biden is
current leader (D).
The Pro Tempore
takes over usually.
Term
Size
Each state has 2
Senators, for a
total of 100.
1/3 elected every
2 years. The 17th
Amendment
allows for election
of Senators.
Serve 6-yr termsUnique Powers:
no limit on times
Must approve Presidential
appointments. 2/3 must approve
Presidential treaties.
Holds impeachment trials.
Qualifications
Must be 30, 9-yr. Citizen
& State resident.
Notes on Congress
• Congress is established as the “first
branch” of gov’t by Art. I of Const.
• This is the 114th Congress, 2nd session.
• Term is a 2-year meeting of Congress.
• There are 2 sessions per term.
• Congress meets on Capitol Hill in the
Capitol Building.
Notes on the House
• NC has 13 Congressional districts.
• Currituck County is in the 3rd District.
• Walter B. Jones, Jr. is our
Representative. He is a Republican.
• The Republicans are the majority party.
• Paul Ryan (R) is the Speaker of the
House.
Notes on the Senate
• NC’s Senior Sen. is Richard Burr (R).
Our Junior Sen. is Thom Tillis (R).
• Republicans are the majority party.
• Senate Pro Tempore is Orin Hatch.
Senate Majority Leader is Mitch
McConnell. Senate Minority Leader
is Harry Reid.
Assignment
• Re-read pp. 241-243 under “Getting
Elected to Congress.” Take notes,
especially on vocabulary and cases.
• Read CT handout to complete questions.
• Read all 4 cases and explain significance.
• Due Tomorrow!
• We will discuss Phase II of E-Congress
tomorrow. It is due 02/05/16. Link is on my
webpage and on the Symbaloo board.
Annual AP DC Trip!
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Dates: May 31-June 2, 2016.
Discuss itinerary.
Discuss deposits.
Discuss funds.
Answer questions.