Structure of the Legislative Branch

The US Congress and Maryland General Assembly are both bicameral legislatures, while the Baltimore County Council is unicameral. Bicameral means:

• one house

• two houses

• three houses

• three levels

I am one of two from each state, and I represent the entire state for 6 years. I must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States for at least 9 years, and a resident of the state I represent. I am a:

• US Representative

• US Senator

• MD Delegate

• MD Senator

• Baltimore County Council Member

A bicameral national legislature supports the value of

• federalism

• equality before the law

• checks and balances

• individual rights and freedoms

Meets each year in a 90 day session beginning on the second Wednesday in January.

• US Congress

• Maryland General Assembly

• Baltimore County Council

• Supreme Court

Representation in this house of the Federal legislature is determined by state population:

• Congress

• Senate

• House of Representatives

• Electoral College

I am one of a group from my state based on population, and I represent the people in my legislative district for 2 years. I must be at least 25 years old, a citizen of the United States for at least 7 years, and a resident of the state I represent. I am a:

• US Representative

• US Senator

• MD Delegate

• MD Senator

• Baltimore County Council Member

The leader of the US House of Representatives, who is selected by the majority party:

• President Pro Tempore

• Majority Leader

• Minority Leader

• Speaker of the House

I am one of 141 from my state, and I represent the people in my state legislative district for 4 years. I must be at least 21 years old. I am a:

• US Representative

• US Senator

• MD Delegate

• Baltimore County Council Member

I am one of seven members and I represent the people in my councilmanic district for 4 years. I am a:

• US Representative

• US Senator

• MD Delegate

• Baltimore County Council Member

Representation in this house of the Federal legislature is equal, with all states having two members.

• House of Representative

• Senate

• General Assembly

• House of Delegates