CongressByTheNumbers.com
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117th Congress, 1st Session (2021)
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116th Congress, 2nd Session (2020)
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116th Congress, 1st Session (2019)
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115th Congress, 2nd Session (2018)
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115th Congress, 1st Session (2017)
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114th Congress, 2nd Session (2016)
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114th Congress, 1st Session (2015)
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113th Congress, 2nd Session (2014)
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113th Congress, 1st Session (2013)
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112th Congress, 2nd Session (2012)
What’s My Congressman’s Number? – how much Members of Congress are voting to spend
Also see
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Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

House versus Committee of the Whole | |
Established by Constitution (Article I, Section 2) |
Established by House rule for consideration of a specific measure |
Mace raised |
Mace lowered |
Speaker presides |
Chair of Committee of the Whole presides (appointed by Speaker) |
One-hour rule |
Five-minute rule for amendments; special rule from Rules Committee dictates procedure, after adoption of rule by House |
Quorum of 218 |
Quorum of 100 |
One-fifth of members (44 with minimum quorum to trigger a recorded vote |
25 members to trigger a recorded vote |
Motion for previous question in order |
Motion for previous question not in order; motion to limit or end debate may be offered |
Motion to recommit in order |
Motion to recommit not in order |
Motion to reconsider in order |
Motion to reconsider not in order |
Routine business of House in order |
Routine business of House not in order |
Differences between the House and the Senate At-a-Glance | |
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Larger – 435 members |
Smaller – 100 members |
Districts based on population |
Two Senators from each state |
Shorter term – 2 years |
Longer term – 6 years |
All stand for election every 2 years |
6 year terms are staggered, 1/3 stand for election every 2 years – “continuing body” |
At least 25 years of age when seated |
At least 30 years of age when seated |
Originates revenue legislation |
Executive business (Treaties by 2/3, nominations) |
Four calendars (Union, House, Private, and Discharge) |
Two calendars (Legislative and Executive) |
Less procedural flexibility / more restraints |
More procedural flexibility / fewer restraints |
Rules adopted each Congress (every 2 years) |
Rules continuously in effect |
Stronger Leadership – power less evenly distributed |
Weaker Leadership – power more evenly distributed |
Role of Rules Committee and special rules to govern floor consideration |
Unanimous consent and complex unanimous consent time agreements to govern floor consideration |
Scheduling by Speaker and majority-party leadership, with limited consultation among members |
Scheduling by majority-party leadership, with broad consultation among all members |
Germaneness of amendments generally required |
Germaneness of amendments rarely required |
Presiding officer has considerable discretion in recognition; rulings rarely challenged |
Presiding officer has little discretion in recognition; rulings frequently challenged |
Debate always restricted |
Debate rarely restricted |
Debate-ending motions by majority vote (218 representatives) |
Cloture invoked by three-fifths vote (60 senators) |
Quorum calls permitted in connection with record votes |
Quorum calls permitted almost any time and used for constructive delay |
Narrower constituency – House District |
Larger constituency – entire state |
Elections generally less competitive |
Elections generally more competitive |
Specialists |
Generalists |
Less reliant on staff |
More reliant on staff |
Less media coverage |
More media coverage |
More partisan |
Less partisan |
Adjourns at end of day |
Recesses at end of most days |
Salary: 2009 – 2022: $174,000 2008: $169,300 2006 and 2007: $165,200 2005: $162,100 For more information, see Pay and Perquisites of Members of Congress |
Salary: 2009 – 2022: $174,000 2008: $169,300 2006 and 2007: $165,200 2005: $162,100 For more information, see Pay and Perquisites of Members of Congress |
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