American Government and Politics Today, Brief Edition, 2014-2015

204 PART THREE • iNsTiTuTioNs oF AMERiCAN govERNMENT

for example, “for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in

any other Place.” The “speech or debate” clause means that a member may make any

allegations or other statements he or she wishes in connection with official duties and nor-

mally not be sued for defamation (libel or slander) or otherwise be subject to legal action.

CoNgREssioNAL ELECTioNs

ANd APPoRTioNMENT

The process of electing members of Congress is decentralized. Congressional elections

are conducted by the individual state governments. The states, however, must conform

to the rules established by the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes. The Constitution

states that representatives are to be elected every second year by popular ballot, and the

number of seats awarded to each state is to be determined every ten years by the results

of the census. Each state has at least one representative, with most congressional districts

having about 725,000 residents. Senators are elected by popular vote (since the passage

of the Seventeenth Amendment) every six years. Approximately one-third of the seats are

chosen every two years. Each state has two senators. Under Article I, Section 4, of the

Constitution, state legislatures are given control over “[t]he Times, Places and Manner of

holding Elections for Senators and Representatives,” although “the Congress may at any

time by Law make or alter such Regulations.”

TABLE 9–1: Characteristics of the 113th Congress, 2013–2015

Characteristic U.S. Population House Senate

age (median) 36.8 56.2 61.5

Percentage minority 34.9 18.2  5

religion

Percentage church or synagogue members 66.4 84.8 90

Percentage Roman Catholic 23.9 30.3 28

Percentage Protestant 51.3 50.1 51

Percentage Jewish 1.7 5.1 10

Percentage female 50.7 18.2 17

Percentage with advanced degrees 10.1 64.6 75

(persons age 25 or above only)

Occupation

Percentage lawyers of those employed 0.8 36.8 56

Family income

Percentage of families earning

more than $50,000 annually 44.9 100.0 100

Personal wealth*

Percentage with assets over $1 million 4.7 53.3 80

Data applies to members immediately after the 2012 elections. Thereafter, congressional membership changes

slowly due to resignation, death, and other factors.

*112th Congress.

Sources: CIA Factbook, 2010; Census Bureau; and authors’ updates.

LO3: Examine the implications
of apportioning House seats.

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