CH 10, SEC 4 The Members of Congress

SENATORS/REPS FROM MISSOURI Can you name your two senators? Your representative?

Claire McCaskill (D) and Roy Blunt (R)

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R) 3rd Congressional District

WHAT ROLES AND FUNCTIONS DO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS PERFORM?Typically

white male, late 50s

Typically married, college

degree, born in

represented State

1. Job

2. Compensatio

n

MEMBERS OF

CONGRESS

Background

1. THE JOB

5 Major Roles 1. Legislators

2. Representatives of their Constituents

3. Committee members

4. Servants of their Constituents

5. Politicians

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE

Each Lawmaker has FOUR voting options:

DELEGATESee themselves as the agents of the people who elected them.

TRUSTEEBelieve each question should be decided on its merits; Call issues as they see them regardless of majority view.

PARTISANAllegiance to their political party; Cast votes in line of party.

POLITICOCombine the elements of the delegate, trustee, and partisan roles.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS Proposed Laws (Bills) are referred to committees in each chamber.

Committee members decide which measures will go on to floor consideration.Considered and acted upon by full membership of the House or Senate.

Congress enacts laws and appropriates the $$$ to implement them.

Oversight function Process by which Congress, through its committees, checks to see that the executive branch agencies are carrying out the policies of Congress.

SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE Members of both the House and the Senate act as servants of their constituents.

Failing to respond to the requests of their constituents would mean they could lose votes in the next election.

2. COMPENSATION SalaryBoth paid $174,000/yearSpeaker of the House $223,500Vice President $230,700Senate’s President Pro Temp and floor leaders $193,400

Receive “Fringe Benefits”Special Tax Deductions ie 2 HomesTravel allowancesGenerous Retirement PlanOffice in D.C. and home stateFunds to hire staffFranking Privilege Can send mail for FREE

Head of the House of

Representatives

Head of the Senate