Why?
The two bodies were formed after "The Great Compromise." This was one of the early conflicts the newly formed nation the United States faced when dealing with power of different states. The Smaller states wanted equal power, but the bigger states wanted more power.
What Happened?
The government decided that bicameral legislature was the best answer. This created the two bodies of congress that made the small and large states happy. The House of Representatives which is based on population. The Senate which gives every state 2 senators.
The two bodies were formed after "The Great Compromise." This was one of the early conflicts the newly formed nation the United States faced when dealing with power of different states. The Smaller states wanted equal power, but the bigger states wanted more power.
What Happened?
The government decided that bicameral legislature was the best answer. This created the two bodies of congress that made the small and large states happy. The House of Representatives which is based on population. The Senate which gives every state 2 senators.
House of Representatives
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The Senate
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Based on Population |
2 per state |
2 year term
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6 year term
|
At least 25 years old
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at least 30 years old
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435 members
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100 members
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Their part in the Government
The Congress is were the laws come from, The job of both branches is to propose bills in either the house or the senate in order to create new laws.
The Process
- Needs to be introduced by either the house or the senate.
- Assigned to a committee
- Assigned to a subcommittee
- Debates, amends and votes
- Brought in front of Entire Body
- Introduced to opposite body
- Goes through steps 2,3,4 again
- Conference Committee called
- Entire Congress vote on bill!!
- President can Sign, vetoes or ignores
(congress can overturn a veto by a two thirds) vote - LAW
Committees
There are multiple committees and subcommittees that are assighned to improve bills, check out all the different committees here!
Do you want to be part of Congress?
Popular positions:
Speaker of the house |
Chosen by majority party, presides over the house. This Job includes assighning other members of the house to committees and assighning bills to them.
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Majority Leader |
Gets votes for party favored bills in their own party.
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Majority whip |
Gets votes from any party and trys to influence politicians by any means neccissary.
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President of the Senate |
(ya have to be the vice president) If there is a tie in the senate then the President of the senate can vote to break the tie. The vice president is expected to represent the president in Senate.
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Average Pay
Current Pay For House and Senators
$174,000
Current Pay for Speaker of the House
$193,400
$174,000
Current Pay for Speaker of the House
$193,400