American Government 5.1 Congressional Membership 1 
Drill: Bureaucracy & Sunset Laws
Bureaucracy: government administrators & clerks
Sunset Laws: This law prohibits public officials from holding meetings not open to the public

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to discuss the qualifications for and benefits of membership in the House of Representatives and the Senate and the principle of representation through congressional apportionment by reading excerpts from today’s lesson.

I. Federalism and Public Policy 
A. Federalism affects how new public policies are made and imposes limits on making public policy.
B. Policy may originate at the national, state, or local level of government.
II. Federalism and Political Parties 
A. The two major political parties have competed for control in national, state, and local elections.
B. Control of government at all levels has shifted between these political parties.
III. Political Participation 
A. Our federal system gives citizens many points of access to government and to opportunities to influence public policy.
B. Citizens can vote for state and local officials and work together to influence policies at all levels of government.
Odds & Ends
A. Senate is entitled to have two members from each state
B. Franking privilege gives senators the benefit of free mail
C. House of Representatives is the largest body of Congress with 435 members
D. Sessions occur when Congress hold meetings
E. Censure is a formal disapproval
F. Senators are elected for six-year terms.
G. One reason incumbents are reelected is that they have support from political action committiees.
H. Treason is the only crime that members of Congress can be arrested, even when attending Congress.
I. Representatives are elected from congressional districts
J. Gerrymandering is an abuse of political power by creating congressional districts of unequal power.

American Government 5.1 Congressional Membership 1 

1. D 			6. C
2. C 			7. D
3. A 			8. B
4. E 			9. B
5. B 			10. A
		
11. The Framers wanted to preserve some state power but increase the power of the national government.
12. Federalism lessens the risk of one party gaining a monopoly on political powers.
13. Federalism provides easier access to political office and opportunities to influence public policy. 
14. Students should cite the differences in state laws, and social and political environments.

Historical Documents IVITY 3
1. Madison favor giving the larger states representation according to population because he did not want the small states to wield disproportionate power; he feared government by a minority.
2. The House of Representatives is the branch of the federal government that is a “representation of its citizens”; Madison believed that the Constitution provides for a gradual augmentation of the number of representative according to the increase in state population.
3. Madison believed that the House of Representatives can initiate spending bills. Madison said that holding the purse is a “powerful instrument” that could gradually enlarge the sphere of activity and importance of the House.

Summary: In today’s lesson, we discussed the qualifications for and benefits of membership in the House of Representatives and the Senate and the principle of representation through congressional apportionment. 

Homework: Census  & Incumbent 
Census – counts the US population once every ten years  
Incumbent – a political candidate that is currently in office

Name ____________________________________________Class ___________ Date______________
American Government    5.1 Congressional MembershipSECTION 1 
Match each item in Column A with the items in Column B. Write the correct letters in the blanks. 
Column A
____1. Congressional meetings
____2. largest body of Congress
____3. two members from each state
____4. formal disapproval of a senator’s actions
____5. senatorial benefit
	Column B
A. Senate
B. franking privilege
C. House of Representatives
D. sessions
E. censure

In the blank at the left, write the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. 
____6. Representatives are elected from
A. presidential appointments. 			C. congressional districts.
B. gerrymandering. 				D. Congress.
____7. Redistricting power was abused by creating congressional districts of unequal power and by
A. census. 					C. bicameral legislature.
B. censure. 					D. gerrymandering.
____8. Senators are elected for
A. two-year terms. 				C. life.
B. six-year terms.				D. four-year terms.
____9. One reason incumbents are reelected is that they have
A. Republican support. 				C. parliamentary procedure.
B. support from PACs. 				D. Constitutional Convention debates.
____10. Members of Congress can be arrested for this offense even when attending Congress.
A. treason 					C. bribery
B. murder 					D. tax evasion
Chapter 5-1
11. Why did the Framers of the Constitution establish a federal system of government?

12.How has the federal system affected the development of political parties?

13. How does federalism enable individuals to take part in government? 

14. How might your life change if you and your family moved to another state? 

5.1 Historical Documents The Federalist, No. 58, Madison February 20, 1788
To the People of the State of New York
The remaining charge against the House of Representatives which I am to examine, is grounded on a supposition that the number of members will not be augmented from time to time, as the progress of population may demand.
It has been admitted that this objection, if well supported, would have great weight. The following observations will shew that like most other objections against the constitution, it can only proceed from a partial view of the subject; or from a jealousy which discolours and disfigures every object which is beheld. . . .
Within every successive term of ten years, a census of inhabitants is to be repeated. . . . first, to readjust from time to time the apportionment of representatives to the number of inhabitants; under the single exception that each state shall have one representative at least; Secondly, to augment the number of representatives at the same periods; under the sole limitation, that the whole number shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand inhabitants. . . .
5.1 American Government Historical Documents …continued
There is a peculiarity in the federal constitution which ensures a watchful attention in a majority both of the people and of their representatives, to a constitutional augmentation of the latter. The peculiarity lies in this, that one branch of the legislature is a representation of citizens; the other of the states: in the former consequently the larger states will have most weight; in the latter, the advantage will be in favour of the smaller states. . . . 	
Notwithstanding the equal authority which will subsist between the two houses on all legislative subjects, except the originating of money bills, it cannot be doubted that the house composed of the greater number of members, when supported by the more powerful states, and speaking the known and determined sense of a majority of the people, will have no small advantage in a question depending  on the comparative firmness of the two houses. . . . . . . 
The house of representatives can not only refuse, but they alone can propose the supplies requisite for the support of government. They in a word hold the purse; that powerful instrument by which we behold in the history of the British constitution, an infant and humble representation of the people, gradually enlarging the sphere of its activity and importance, and finally reducing, as far as it seems to have wished, all the overgrown prerogatives of the other branches of the government. 
This power over the purse, may in fact be regarded as the most compleat and effectual weapon with which any constitution can arm the immediate representatives of the people, for obtaining a redress of every grievance, and for carrying into effect every just and salutary measure. . . . 

DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Why did Madison favor giving the larger states representation according to population? 

2. Which branch of the federal government is a “representation of its citizens”? Why did Madison characterize it as such?

3. Madison believed one legislative power was more important than all the others. Which legislative body had this power, and why did Madison consider it so important?
ACTIVITY 3

In your own words, summarize today’s lesson.