What does Section 6 of the Constitution mean?

Article I, Section 6 also says that Senators and Representatives shall not be questioned in court or by the President for any speech or debate they give or participate in on the floor of the Senate or the House. This assures ample freedom of debate in Congress.

Do taxpayers pay congress salary?

FACT: This information is completely false. Members of Congress pay income taxes just like every other American. The U.S. tax code states that everyone who receives revenue must pay an income tax, including Representatives and Senators.

What does shutting down the government mean?

Government shutdowns, in United States politics, refer to a funding gap period that causes a full or partial shutdown of federal government operations and agencies. They are caused when there is a failure to pass a funding legislation to finance the government for its next fiscal year or a temporary funding measure.

What does Article 7 of the Constitution do?

The text of Article VII declares that the Constitution shall become the official law of the ratifying states when nine states ratified the document. The main dispute between Anti-Federalists and Federalists was whether the new Constitution could lawfully be ratified by nine states.

Can a senator sue another senator for something said on the floor of the Senate?

Senators or Representatives cannot be sued for slander occurring during Congressional debate. The members of Congress may not simultaneously serve in Congress and hold a position in the executive branch.

Do members of Congress fly for free?

Official travel usually includes travel paid for out of Congressional funds, as well as the travel of Members, Senators or staff abroad as part of an official delegation. All official travel must be paid for or authorized by the House or Senate.

Do Congressmen have term limits?

2 without recommendation. H.J. Res. 2, if approved by two-thirds of the members of both the House and Senate, and if ratified by three-fourths of the States, will limit United States Senators to two full, consecutive terms (12 years) and Members of the House of Representatives to six full, consecutive terms (12 years).

Will government shutdown affect Social Security payments?

During a government shutdown, recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. However, a shutdown suspends the issuance of Social Security cards. During a shutdown, no Social Security cards are issued.

What if the government defaults on its debt?

What happens if the U.S. defaults? If Congress doesn’t suspend or raise the debt ceiling, the government would not be able to borrow additional funds to meet its obligations, including interest payments to bondholders. The dollar’s value could collapse, and the U.S. economy would most likely sink back into recession.

What is Article 8 of the Constitution?

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; ArtI. 1 Taxing Power.

What does the 13th Amendment do?

The Thirteenth Amendment—passed by the Senate on April 8, 1864; by the House on January 31, 1865; and ratified by the states on December 6, 1865—abolished slavery “within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” Congress required former Confederate states to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment as a …

Do politicians have immunity?

Parliamentary immunity, also known as legislative immunity, is a system in which politicians such as president, vice president, governor, lieutenant governor, member of parliament, member of legislative assembly, member of legislative council, senator, member of congress, corporator and councilor are granted full …

Why are members of Congress still getting paid during a shutdown?

All 535 members of Congress are still receiving their salaries due to provisions in the Constitution, as well as permanent appropriations for congressional pay. After Congress’s failure to reach a funding agreement, the government entered its 14th day of a partial government shutdown Friday.

What does the partial government shutdown mean for You?

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks to reporters outside the White House January 2, 2019. The record-setting partial government shutdown, which began Dec. 22, continues to drag on, meaning hundreds of thousands of federal employees are being asked to work without pay or to stay home.

What does the constitution say about compensation for members of Congress?

The U.S. Constitution lays out the method of compensation for members of the House and Senate. Article I, Section 6 says, “The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States.”

How much do members of the Senate make?

Here’s a breakdown of the annual salary of members, officers and officials of the Senate: President pro tempore: $193,400 Majority and minority Leaders: $193,400 All other senators: $174,000 Secretary of the Senate: $172,500 Sergeant at arms…