Omar Bennett
The U.S. Constitution, in Article I, establishes the structure and powers of Congress, including the legislative branch of the US government, the election of Senators and Representatives, and the process by which laws are made. It also outlines the Great Compromise, which ensures equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives. This compromise resolved a significant issue in the drafting of the Constitution, balancing the interests of small and large states. The Constitution further specifies that each state is entitled to at least one Representative, with the number of Representatives not exceeding one for every thirty thousand. The Census, conducted every ten years, is used to determine the allocation of Representatives among the states based on their populations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legislative branch of US Government | Congress |
| Number of Representatives | Not exceed one for every thirty thousand |
| Congressional representation | Equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives |
| Number of Senators from each state | Two |
| Tenure of Senators | Six years |
| Tenure of Representatives | Two years |
| Minimum age of Senators | 30 years |
| Minimum age of Representatives | 25 years |
| Citizenship of Senators | Citizen of the United States for nine years or more |
| Citizenship of Representatives | Citizen of the United States for seven years or more |
| Election of Senators and Representatives | Prescribed in each state by the legislature |
| Powers of Congress | Legislative powers |
| Composition of Congress | Senate and House of Representatives |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution establishes equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives
- Each state has at least one representative in the House, and two senators
- The Census Bureau conducts a census every 10 years, which determines the number of House memberships for each state
- Qualifications to be a Representative include being at least 25 years old, a citizen of the US for seven years, and a resident of the state represented
- Senators and Representatives are compensated for their services and are privileged from arrest in all cases except treason, felony and breach of the peace
The US Constitution establishes equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives
The US Constitution, which establishes the structure and powers of Congress, was drafted by the delegates of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The Constitution establishes equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House of Representatives, a plan known as the "Great Compromise" or the "Connecticut Compromise".
The idea of a bicameral national legislature, consisting of two houses, was proposed in the Virginia Plan, drafted by James Madison and introduced by Edmund Randolph. The plan suggested that the "rights of suffrage" in both houses would be proportional to the size of the state. However, this idea was objected to by delegates from smaller states. The larger states argued that they contributed more financially and defensively to the nation, and therefore deserved greater representation in the central government.
The delegates eventually agreed on a plan that would give each state equal votes in the Senate, with two senators representing each state, and proportional representation in the House of Representatives, with a minimum of one representative per state. The characteristics of the Senate, including the basis of representation, were the product of fierce debate and compromise.
The Constitution also outlines the requirements for becoming a Senator or Representative. Senators must be at least 30 years old, citizens of the United States for nine years or more, and residents of the state they represent. Representatives must be at least 25 years old, citizens for seven years or more, and residents of the state they represent.
The apportionment of House seats among the states is determined by the results of the census, which is conducted every 10 years. The Census Bureau is responsible for conducting the census and calculating the number of House memberships for each state based on its population.
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Each state has at least one representative in the House, and two senators
The United States Constitution, in Article I, establishes the structure and powers of Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each state is guaranteed at least one representative in the House, and the total number of representatives a state is allocated is based on its population. The Constitution also mandates that each state will have two senators, who are elected for six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate up for re-election every two years.
The process of determining the number of representatives in the House of Representatives for each state is called "apportionment." The Census Bureau conducts a census every 10 years, and the results are used to calculate the number of House seats to which each state is entitled. The Constitution includes a passage in Article I, Section 2, that states: "Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers." This apportionment process ensures that each state is represented in the House in proportion to its population.
The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 debated the idea of a bicameral Congress with two houses, one being a "grand depository of the democratic principle of government," and the other being smaller, more deliberative, and independent. This smaller body became the Senate, with each state having equal representation in the form of two senators.
The Constitution outlines the requirements for becoming a senator or representative, including age, citizenship, and residency requirements. It also establishes the powers and privileges of these offices, including compensation for their services and protection from arrest in certain cases.
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The Census Bureau conducts a census every 10 years, which determines the number of House memberships for each state
The US Constitution, in Article I, describes the design of the legislative branch of the US government, or Congress. The Constitution establishes a bicameral national legislature, consisting of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives has a proportional representation based on the population of each state, with each state having at least one representative. The Census Bureau conducts a census every 10 years, which determines the number of House memberships for each state. This process is known as "apportionment". The first decennial census was conducted in 1790, and the results are used to allocate the 435 memberships, or seats, in the House of Representatives among the 50 states.
The Constitution, in Article I, Section 2, states that "Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers". It further specifies that an enumeration, or census, should be conducted within three years after the first meeting of Congress and within every subsequent term of 10 years.
The actual number of representatives per state is determined by the President, who reports the apportionment population counts and the number of representatives for each state to the Clerk of the House of Representatives. The Clerk then informs each state governor of the number of representatives to which their state is entitled.
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Qualifications to be a Representative include being at least 25 years old, a citizen of the US for seven years, and a resident of the state represented
The US Constitution outlines the requirements for becoming a Congressional Representative. Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution states that Representatives must be at least 25 years old, have been a citizen of the United States for at least seven years, and be a resident of the state they represent at the time of their election.
These qualifications were established by the Founding Fathers, who aimed to ensure that the House of Representatives remained close to the American people. They drew inspiration from British Law, which at the time required members of the British House of Commons to reside in the towns they represented. By including the residency requirement, the Founding Fathers increased the likelihood that Representatives would be familiar with the needs and concerns of their constituents.
The Constitution also provides that each state shall have at least one Representative, with the number of Representatives not exceeding one for every 30,000 people. The process of determining how many Representatives each state is entitled to is called apportionment and is based on the results of the census, which is conducted every 10 years.
The Constitution grants each House the authority to determine the rules of its proceedings and to judge the qualifications of its members. This means that, in addition to the qualifications outlined in the Constitution, each House may establish its own requirements for membership, provided they do not conflict with the Constitution.
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Senators and Representatives are compensated for their services and are privileged from arrest in all cases except treason, felony and breach of the peace
The US Constitution, in Article I, describes the design of the legislative branch of the US government, or Congress. It covers the election of Senators and Representatives, the process of lawmaking, and the powers of Congress.
Article I, Section 6, Clause 1, states that Senators and Representatives:
> "shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place."
This means that Senators and Representatives are paid for their work and this compensation is determined by law. They cannot be arrested during Congress sessions or travelling to and from them, except in cases of treason, felony, or breach of the peace. This was interpreted by the Supreme Court in Williamson v. United States to include all criminal offences. This privilege was based on the understanding in England before the American Revolution, where these phrases were used in a similar context.
The number of Representatives is determined by the process of apportionment, which is outlined in the Constitution. It states that Representatives are apportioned among the states according to their respective populations. The Census Bureau conducts a census every 10 years, and the results are used to calculate the number of Representatives for each state.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Article I of the US Constitution outlines the design of the legislative branch of the US Government, including the election of Senators and Representatives.
Congressional representatives are allocated through a process called "apportionment". The 435 memberships, or seats, in the House of Representatives are divided among the 50 states based on the population of each state. Each state is guaranteed at least one Representative.
Apportionment occurs every 10 years following the completion of the census.
According to Title 2, U.S. Code, the President must report the apportionment population counts for each state to the Clerk of the House of Representatives within one week of the opening of the next session of Congress.
