IV.

Membership

The House and the Senate have similar membership requirements. The Senate includes two senators from each of the 50 states, elected for six-year terms. To be a senator, a person must be at least 30 years old, a citizen for nine years, and a resident of the state from which he or she is elected. Most members of Congress have served in state legislatures, city councils, or other elected bodies. See United States Senate: Campaigning for the Senate; United States House of Representatives: Campaigning for the House.

The 435 House seats are divided among the states in proportion to each state’s population. Every state is guaranteed at least one seat. States entitled to more than a single seat must create districts of roughly equal population from which members are elected. The United States Bureau of the Census counts the population of the states every ten years to determine how many seats each state is entitled to. Representatives, elected for two-year terms, must be 25 years old, a citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state from which they are elected. Five additional members—from Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia—represent their constituencies in the House but do not vote in the chamber.

Most members of Congress work very hard. Daily tasks typically include: (1) meeting with constituents to discuss issues, (2) attending committee meetings, (3) meeting with government officials and lobbyists, (4) studying and discussing legislation, (5) working with informal groups of colleagues, (6) assisting constituents with problems, (7) managing the congressional office and staff, (8) raising money for the next campaign, (9) working with party leaders to build support for bills, (10) overseeing how agencies are carrying out laws, and (11) appearing publicly outside the state or district to address issues.

Members of Congress rely on staff aides to help them with their heavy workload. House members are allotted up to 18 staff members, who work in local district offices or on Capitol Hill—the location of House and Senate chambers and offices. Senators’ staffs vary according to their states’ populations. About a third of congressional aides work in state offices, and the rest on Capitol Hill.