structure of congress

• Congress is a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• Senate has 100 members, two per state, who are directly elected every 6 years, with a 1/3 rotated out to be elected every 2 years in the midterms
• Senate was at first the aristocratic forum, less vulnerable to democracy/sudden shifts in public opinion, and chosen undemocratically by state legislatures. The 17th amendment changed this
• The VP is the President of the Senate

  • Power of tie breaking vote - Kamala has tied for the most tie breaking vote cast; 31
  • Kamala Harris, the current vice president, presided over a 50–50 split Senate during the 117th Congress
• Terms of office (Senate)


  At least 30, have to be a US citizen for 9 years but do not have to be a natural citizen, have to reside in the state you represent
• House of Reps has 435 members, the number NEVER changes but every 10 years the census redistributes ratio of Representatives to Senators
• Representatives are directly elected every two years in the midterms
• Terms of office (House of Reps)


  At least 25 years old, have to be a citizen for 7 years, but do not have to be a natural citizen, and have to reside in the state you are representing
• House leadership - controlled by Republicans

  • Speaker used to be Kevin McCarthy but resigned so now Mike Johnson (Rep)
  • Majority leader Steve Scalise (Rep)
  • Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (Dem)
  • Majority whip Tom Emmer (Rep)
  • Minority whip Katherine Clark ( Dem)
• Senate leadership - controlled by Democrats

  • Vice Pres Kamala Harris (Dem)
  • President pro tempore Patty Murray (Dem)
  • Majority leader Charles Schumer (Dem)
  • Majority whip Richard Durbin (Dem)
  • Minority leader Mitch Mc Connell (Rep)