#15: CIVICS 101: The Legislative Branch
Q&A #15: What qualifications are prescribed for a Member of Congress?
Our American Government
Our American Government is a small book published by the House of Representatives for citizens and those who seek a greater understanding of the American interpretation of democracy. It follows a question-and-answer format and covers a broad range of topics dealing with the three branches of our Government, the electoral process, and the role of political parties.
The Savvy Citizen is reproducing the 169 questions-and-answers through a series of posts called Civics 101. Each post will contain the Q&A as well as some additional commentary to add historical context, fun facts, or anything we believe will add to our collective understanding of these topics.
Think of it as your adult Civics class, but without the test!
Let’s keep at it.
SECTION: The Legislative Branch: The Congress
Members, Offices, and Staff
Q&A #15: What qualifications are prescribed for a Member of Congress?
The Constitution (Article I, Section 2 for the House and Section 3 for the Senate) prescribes qualifications for Members of Congress.
A Member of the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years of age when entering office, must have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and must be a resident of the State in which the election occurred.
A Member of the U.S. Senate must be at least 30 years of age to enter office, must have been a U.S. Citizen for nine years, and must be a resident of the State in which the election occurred.
My Thoughts
Here’s the actual text from the Constitution regarding the above:
Article 1: Legislative Branch, Section 2: House of Representatives
Clause 2 Qualifications: No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
Article 1: Legislative Branch, Section 3: Senate
Clause 3 Qualifications: No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
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Back next time with Q&A #16: What is the term of a Congress and how often must it meet?
Meanwhile, don’t forget that we’re organizing the post links on a single page available here.
xo,
Kelley for the Savvy Citizen Team
November 4, 2024