1. THE ORGANIZATION OF
CONGRESS
House of Representatives and Senate

2. House - Qualifications
O At least 25 years old
O Resident of the United States for at least 7
years
O Must be legal residents of the state that
elects him/her

3. House – Benefits/Privileges
O Free from arrest except treason, felony
O Cannot be sued for speech on the floor
O Free stationery/postage for official business
O Large allowances to pay for staff, trips home
O Tax deduction to maintain two residences
O Pensions of $150,000 in retirement

4. House - Occupations
O Lawyers
O Business, Banking
O Education

5. House - Rules
O Limits on time Representatives can speak
during a debate
O Majority party:
O Selects the leaders
O Controls the flow of legislative work
O Appoints committee chairs

6. House – Debates on Bills
O Rules Committee:
O Directs the flow of legislation
O Can limit debate time on a bill
O Can specify how much a bill can be amended
O Speaker of the House has the power to
appoint committee chairpersons

7. Senate - Qualifications
O At least 30 years old
O Resident of the United States for at least 9
years
O Must be legal residents of the state s/he
represent

8. Senate – Benefits/Privileges
O Free from arrest except treason, felony
O Cannot be sued for speech on the floor
O Free stationery/postage for official business
O Large allowances to pay for staff, trips home
O Tax deduction to maintain two residences
O Pensions of $150,000 in retirement

9. Senate - Occupations
O Lawyers
O Business, Banking
O Education

10. Senate - Rules
O Rules are more relaxed
O Unlimited time for debate
O Can take months to resolve an issue
O Fewer rules, more informal atmosphere
O Majority party writes the rules

11. Senate – Debates on Bills
O Majority leader steers the party’s bills
through the Senate
O Minority leader develops criticism of the
majority party’s bills
O Bills are brought to the floor by unanimous
consent
O Use filibuster to oppose/defeat a bill
O Cloture can stop a filibuster