The Members of Congress

1. The Members of Congress Ch. 8 Sec. 1 Pp. 212-217

2. The Responsibilities of Lawmaking • They represent constituents of their districts • They also have a responsibility to the whole nation • They have a responsibility to their political party • They have to balance the needs of these groups Senator Heflin

3. The Responsibilities of Lawmaking • Their most important job is making laws • Interest groups and lobbyists provide campaign money • They vote on hundreds of bills a year

4. Members of Congress at Work • Learn about issues on which they must vote • Go to meetings, discuss bills, study reports, read letters from constituents • Rely heavily on their staffs Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House

5. Representatives and Senators • Census every ten years to determine how many representatives each state gets • States draw boundaries for congressional districts • Serve for two years Rep. Arthur Davis

6. Representatives and Senators • Two senators from each state • Serve six-year terms • One-third are elected every two years • Salary is $154,700 Sen. Richard Shelby

7. Questions • What do members of Congress have to balance? • The needs of lobbyists and special interest groups • The needs of senators and representatives • The needs of constituents and the nation • The needs of the President and a political party

8. Questions • A member of Congress is primarily responsible to • the people he or she represents • special interest groups • lobbyists • his or her governor

9. Questions • The most important job of Congress is • leading our military forces • making laws • governing cities • helping lobbyists

10. Questions • The job of a member of Congress includes • discussing bills • helping constituents • attending meetings • all of above