Article I, Section 1
All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a congress of the united states
Congressional Term/Session
Two years - numbered consecutively
20th Amendment -1933
Start of each new term begins at "noon of the third day of January
Qualifications - House of Representatives
-25 years of age
-U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
- Must be an inhabitant of the state from which elected
Reapportioned
Redistribute the seats in the house after each 10 yr. census
Gerrymandering
Drawing district boundaries to the advantage of the political party that controls the state legislature
Wesberry vs Sanders
Do gerrymandered districts violate the Constitution?
"Representatives shall be oppointed... according to their respective numbers.
17th Amendment - 1913
Senators "shall be composed of two senators from each state chosen by the Legislature... for six years
Qualifications - The Senate
-30 years of age
-U.S. citizen for at least 9 years
-Must be inhabitant of the state from which elected
Incumbents
Those who currently hold the office - appxt 90% of the incumbents in congress win reelection.