U.S. Congress (Legislative Branch)

  1. House of Representatives
    1. Elected every 2 years
    2. New districts are created every 10 years after completion of the US Census - the next redistricting is scheduled to occur in 2011
    3. 435 members from the U.S. and the Territories
      • Territorial members such as the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa are non-voting members
    4. Each state has a minimum of 1 representative
      • More populous states have more representatives
    5. Directly elected by the people
    6. Nicknamed "The Lower Chamber"
    7. Members are more specialized in their committee assignments as there are so many of them - fewer committee assignments than Senators
    8. Votes on impeachment of officials
    9. Work closely with constituents on services, questions, requests, etc.
  2. Senate
    1. Elected every 6 years
      • 1/3 of the Senate up for election every 2 years
    2. 100 members - 2 from each state
      • No members from the U.S. territories
    3. Directly elected by the people
      • Were originally elected by the state legislatures - 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution put their election directly in the peoples' hands
    4. Nicknamed "The Upper Chamber"
    5. Members of several committees and will become more specialized on the committee where they have attained higher seniority
    6. Tries impeachment cases of officials
    7. Work on general constituent services, but will refer / defer to the House of Representatives for more specific requests