Chapter 10 section 1: The National Legislature

Big Idea: Congress, made up of the Senate and House of Representatives, is the

National Government’s legislative branch.

Vocabulary

• Term• Session• Adjourn• Prorogue• Special session

Notes

• Why does the Constitution provide for a “bicameral” Congress?

1.2.3.

• Describe a ‘term’ of Congress• How have sessions of Congress changed over

time?

Chapter 10 section 2: The House of Representatives

Big Idea: Members of the House, who serve an unlimited number of two year

terms, represent districts of roughly equal populations

vocabulary

• Apportions• Reapportioned• Gerrymandering• Single-member district• At-large• Off-year election

Notes

• Describe the size and elective terms of the members of the House:

• How are House seats reapportioned for each State after each census?

• When are Congressional elections held?• Why are off-year elections significant?• What are the formal qualifications for House

members?• What are informal qualifications for House members?

Chapter 10 section 3: The Senate

Each State has two seats in the Senate, the smaller of the two

houses of Congress

Vocabulary

• Continuous Body• Constituencies• Colleagues

Notes

• How does the size of the Senate compare to the Size of the House of Representatives?

• How have States selected senators in the past and in the present?

• How does a Senator’s term differ from a Representative?

• What are the qualifications for serving in the Senate?

Chapter 10 section 4: The Members of Congress

Members of Congress, who receive generous pay and good benefits,

fulfill various roles.

Vocabulary

• Trustees• Partisans• Politicos• Oversight function• Franking privilege

Notes

• What are the personal and political backgrounds of the current members of Congress?

• What are the duties of members of Congress, list and describe each:– 1.– 2.– 3.– 4.– 5.

Notes

• What is the compensation and privilege of being a Congress member?