Random Fact of the Day!
Brides originally starting carrying a bouquet
of flowers on their wedding day to cover
up their body odor.
Chapter 6, Section 3
Representing the People
Main Idea
The job of Congress is so complex that
Representatives employ many staffers
who help with the workload!
I. Qualifications and Privileges (191-193)
A. Both senators and members of the House
must live in the state they represent.
***House members usually live in
the district they represent but
do not have to!***
B. Senators must be at least 30
1. Must be citizens for at least 9 years
C. House members must be at least 25
2. Must be citizens for at least 7 years
***Most members of Congress have college
degrees. Nearly half are lawyers.***
***Members receive a base salary of
$165,000 per year, free office space, and
trips to their home states.***
D. Franking Privilege- ability to send jobrelated mail for free.
II. Congress at Work
A. The personal staff run the offices. They
gather information on issues, arrange
meetings, and write speeches.
B. Staffers also handle requests from
constituents.
C. Lobbyists- people hired by private interest
groups to influence government decision
makers.
***Members of Congress often hire
students from their home states to
serve as interns. Interns help with
research and office duty.***
***Committee staffs generally have expert
knowledge about special topics, such as
taxes or defense.***
D. The General Accounting Office reviews
Congressional spending and reviews ways
to spend taxpayers dollars.
E. The Congressional Budget Office provides
info and analysis to help Congress create a
budget.
US DEBT CLOCK!!!
F. Members of Congress carry out 3 major
jobs.
1. Congress members make laws.
2. Congress members do casework.
Casework- Troubleshooting for
people from their home district or state
3. Protect the interests of their own state or
district.
G. Members try to gain a share of national
spending for their constituents.
H. Pork-Barrel Projects- Government
projects and grants that primarily benefit the
home district or state.
Mini Quiz!!!
Jimmy Eat World – The Middle
1. How old to be a Senator?
2. How old to be a member of the House?
3. Do you have to live in the state you
represent?
4. In the House, do you have to live in the
district you represent?
5. Congress members helping the
community by bringing in government
projects and grants are known as?