Government Assignment

Sally McDonald

Block 7

10-5-09

Demographics of Congress

Age

20-291

30-3921

40-4982

50-59190

60-69171

70+74

Gender

Male446

Female93

Marital Status

Married460

Divorced 25

Domestic Partner 2

Separated1

Widowed14

Single37

Catholic 159

Baptist 60

Methodist 52

Jewish 44

Presbyterian

43

Top 5 Religions

Ethnicity

050

100150200250300350400450500

AfricanAmerican

AmericanIndian

Asian

Caucasian

Hispanic

Pacific Islander

Vietnamese

Party

Democrat320

Independent2

Republican217

Occupational backgroundTop 5

0

50

100

150

200

250

300State orterritoriallegislature

Public service

Law

Business

Education

Congressional Session

111th United States Congress

Congress Members of Texas

6th District

Sen. John Cornyn

Year elected: 2002Terms served: 2Re-election: 2008Previous political work: Bexar Co. District Judge, 1984-1990; TX Supreme Court, 1991-97; TX Atty. General, 1999-2002 Previous occupation: Attorney Home state: Texas

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison

Year elected: 1993Terms served: 4Re-election: expires in 2012Previous political work: TX House, 1973-77; TX Treasurer, 1991-93 Previous occupation: Attorney, Journalist, Bank Executive, Small Business Owner Home state: Texas

Rep. Joe Barton

Year elected: 1985Terms served: 13Re-election: 2010Previous political work: no prior elected office Previous occupation: Engineer Home state: Texas

Senate Leaders

President of the Senate

Vice President Joseph Biden Jr.

Year elected: 2009Terms served: 1Re-election: 2012Previous political work: New Castle Co. Council, 1970-72; US Senate, 1972-2009 Home state: Pennsylvania

Year elected: 1959Terms served: 7Re-election: 2012Previous political work: WV House, 1947-51; WV Senate, 1951-53; US House, 1953-59 Previous occupation: Attorney Home state: North Carolina

President Pro Tempore

Sen. Robert Byrd

Year elected: 1987Terms served: 3Re-election: 2010Previous political work: NV Assembly, 1969-71; NV Lt. Governor, 1971-75; NV Gaming Commissioner, 1977-81; US House, 1983-87 Previous occupation: Attorney Home state: Nevada

Majority Leader

Sen. Harry Reid

Year elected: 1985Terms served: 5Re-election: 2010Previous political work: Jefferson Co. Judge-Executive, 1978-85 Previous occupation: Attorney, Congressional Aide Home state: Alabama

Minority Leader

Sen. Mitch McConnell

Year elected: 1983Terms served: 3Re-election: 2010Previous political work: US House, 1983-97 Previous occupation: Attorney Home state: Illinois

Asst. Majority Leader

Sen. Richard Durbin

Year elected: 1995Terms served: 3Re-election: 2010Previous political work: US House, 1987-95 Previous occupation: Attorney Home state: Nebraska

Asst. Minority Leader

Sen. Jon Kyl

House Leaders

Speaker of the House

Rep. Nancy Pelosi

Year elected: 2007Terms served: 10Re-election: 2010Previous political work: no prior elected office Previous occupation: Public Relations Consultant Home state: Maryland

Minority Leader

Rep. John Boehner

Year elected: 2007Terms served: 10 Re-election: 2010Previous political work: OH House, 1985-91 Previous occupation: Businessman Home state: Ohio

Minority Whip

Year elected: 2009Terms served: 5Re-election: 2010Previous political work: VA Assembly, 1992-2001 Previous occupation: Attorney Home state: Virginia

Rep. Eric Cantor

Majority Leader

Year elected: 2007Terms served: 15Re-election: 2010Previous political work: MD Senate, 1967-79 Previous occupation: Attorney Home state: New York

Rep. Steny Hoyer

Majority Whip

Year elected: 2007Terms served: 6Re-election: 2010Previous political work: SC Human Affairs Commissioner, 1974-92 Previous occupation: Educator Home state: South Carolina

Rep. James Clyburn

Current Events

Pot advocates: Looser guidelines leave questions

• Obama`s new administration policy loosened guidelines on prosecution of medical marijuana, but suppliers are dealing with state laws and regulations.

-California

Health care bills would end gender differences in rates, but keep age

discrepancies • The House would

permit insurers to charge older Americans twice what younger pay. The bill would allow premiums four times as high.

-Washington

US scientist accused of trying to sell secrets

• A scientist who worked on the moon exploration was caught trying to sell classified secrets.

-Washington

USDA confirms H1N1 in Minnesota pigs

• USDA announced that at least one pig from Minnesota State Fair tested positive for H1N1.

-Minnesota