Congressmen - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Congressmen

American

GovernmentSlide2
Slide3

The Representative

Facts about Representatives:

Representatives must be 25 years old to serve in the House, they must be citizens of the United States for at least 7 years, and must be legal a resident of the state that elects them.

Representatives serve 2 year

terms

The number of Representatives in each state is determined by the population of that state

Population for representation is determined every 10 years based upon the U.S. censusSlide4
Slide5

The Senator

Facts about Senators:

Senators must be at least 30 years old, citizens of the United States for at least 9 years and legal residents of the state they represent

Senators serve for 6

years

terms

As originally laid out in the Constitution, Senators were chosen by their respective state legislatures

The system of how Senators were placed in office changed with the passage of the 17

th

amendment

The 17

th

amendment mandated that Senators be chosen by popular vote.

There are 2 Senate seats for each state regardless of population the population of the

state

The Senate is referred to as a

continuous body

, as only 1/3 of the Senate is ever up for election at the same timeSlide6
Slide7

Compensation and benefits

Both Senators and Representatives make $174,000 a year (2013).

They also get franking privileges, travel allowances, low life and health insurance, a generous retirement plan, and funds for hiring a staff.

Franking privileges

allow for congressmen to send work related mail for free.

This privilege is very important, as it provides a distinct advantage to incumbents as they run for re-election.

Longtime members can retire with an income of up to $150,000 or more. Slide8

Immunity and Privilege

The Constitution states that:

Senators and Representatives “shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the same.” Slide9

Makeup of the House and Senate

The majority of Congressmen are white and protestant.

Almost all members are married, a few are divorced, and they have on average, two children.

Over half of Congressmen are lawyers, nearly all went to college, 4/5 have a college degree or advanced degrees.Slide10

Incumbency

Incumbency

is when you already hold a public office

Incumbency is a distinct advantage when running for re-election

This can be supported by the fact that fewer than

2 percent

of incumbents are defeated in primaries and fewer then

7 percent

lose general elections

This is all despite the fact that recent polls show that Congressional approval ratings are at about 10 percent

Incumbents have the advantage of:

Franking privileges, access to the media, and name recognitionSlide11

Representing the People

Trustees

:

These are law makers who believe

that each question must be decided on its merits

Partisans

:

These are lawmakers who owe their first allegiance to their political party

They feel duty-bound to vote in line with the party platform and the wishes of their party’s leadersSlide12

Representing the People

Delegates

:

These are lawmakers who

see themselves as agents of those who elected them. They believe that they should vote the way “the folks back home” would want

Politicos

:

These are lawmakers who

attempt to combine the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles

They try to balance these often conflicting factors: their own views of what is best for their constituents and/or nation as a whole, the political facts of life, and the peculiar pressures of the moment