IX. Read and translate. It is interesting to know

1. Lobbyists. Often discussing Congress of the USA, the third chamber is mentioned. It’s a specific American phenomena called lobbies - big corporations, social organizations, foreign diplomats, who try to influence lawmaking process in their favor. This is done with the help of lobbyists. Practically lobbyism (backstage influence in legislation) has become legal, it means, that the passing of a bill can be prevented, if it doesn’t suit the interests of a definite group of big business. Lobbyists make themselves legislative councils. More and more people realize that legislation is shaped as much by the hidden influences, as by the public debates.

2. The membership of the House is 435 and of the Senate 100 two fro each state. The members of both bodies receive a basic salary plus cost- of- living increases. The are given allowances for staff salaries, apportioned in the Senate by state population. Additional allowances are provided for the rental of office space in the members’ home districts; office supplies and expenses; and free use of the mails, within allocated limits, for official business. Congress people also enjoy certain special privileges that were established through years of struggle in the English Parliament and embodied as a matter of course in American system. The cannot be arrested for civil offenses while Congress is in session (although they can be arrested for crimes or breaches of the peace); they cannot be arrested or sued for anything they may say in speeches on the floor of either house. This “congressional immunity” from action for libel extends also to their utterances when they are off the floor conducting other congressional business. Though sometimes abused by individual congressmen, it is a precious right indispensable to the preservation of free legislative decision.

X. Match each word on the left with the appropriate definition on the right:

XI. Fill in the missing words:

1. The two Houses do much of their work through ______ rather than on the floor.

2. Both parties in each house have their instrumentalities of control, including caucuses or conferences and “ steering committees”, in which decisions of ______ and strategy are made.

3. The number of Representatives from each state is based upon its ______.

4. There are elected every two years for______terms.

5. Congress decides upon______ and how money is spent.

6. There is ______ to the number of terms a Senator or a Representative may serve.

7. One third of the senators are elected every two years for_______ terms of office.

8. Each can also vote _____ legislation passed by the other.

9. Congress regulates ___ among the states and with foreign countries.

10. Congress also sets rules for the _____ of foreign citizens.

11. The candidate who wins the largest numbers of votes in a ______ is the winner.