Transcript National Legislature Overview

Warm Up
Write down the three standards that are most important to you for a
successful Congress. Briefly explain your choices
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Works well with the President
Passes many laws intended to solve national problems
Represents a wide variety of opinions
Has many experienced members
Gets a high percentage of its members re-elected
• Closely reflects popular opinion
• Compromises to get things done
Monday, October 26, 2015
• Objective: Students will be able to explain the basic roles of
Congress.
• Materials needed: pen/pencil, notebook, 1 piece of paper for short
assignment at the end of class
Congress: The Job
• Congress has a split personality. On the one hand, it is a lawmaking
institution and makes policy for the entire nation. In this capacity, all
the members are expected to set aside their personal ambitions and
perhaps even the concerns of their constituencies. Yet Congress is
also a representative assembly, made up of 535 elected officials who
serve as links between their constituents and the National
Government. The dual roles of making laws and responding to
constituents’ demands forces members to balance national concerns
against the specific interests of their States or districts.
—James M. Burns, et al., Government by the People
Roles of People in Congress
• Legislator: Study and draft proposed legislation
• Represent their constituents
• Serve on specialized committees
• Balance the interests between what their party wants and what their
constituents want
• All of these roles must be performed in order to win reelection
Personal and Political Background of Congress
Personal and Political Background of Congress
• Many members of Congress are millionaires
• Most members have a lot of experience in government
• Congress is made up of upper-middle-class Americans, who
are, for the most part, quite able and hardworking people
Terms and Sessions of Congress
• Each term lasts for
2 years
• Session: period of
time each year
during which
Congress
assembles and
conducts business
Congressional Pay and Benefits
• Members of Congress are required by the Constitution to set their
own salaries
• Senators and representatives are paid $174,000 per year
• Members in Congress also enjoy additional benefits
• Examples: healthcare, tax deductions for have 2 places of residence in 2
different states
Why serve in Congress?
• To bring about changes they care about and to help their
communities
• Members are well respected
• Prestige/attention
• Use as a launching pad for higher political office
Synthesis: How should representatives vote?
What factors do you think are most important for members of Congress
to consider when casting their votes? Explain the importance of each
factor.
Your paragraph needs to be at least ½ page in length.