Omar Bennett
The legislative branch of the US government is responsible for making laws and is outlined in Article I of the Constitution. It is composed of two bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate, with the House being referred to as the people's house and the Senate adhering to the principle of equal state representation. The legislative branch also includes agencies that support members of Congress, such as the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office. Congressional staffers play a crucial role in the legislative branch, serving as information gatherers, gatekeepers, and policy advisors. They often start their careers through internships or political campaigns, working long hours and earning less than their Executive Branch counterparts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | House of Representatives and the Senate |
| Number of voting representatives in the House | 435 |
| Basis for number of representatives per state | Population |
| Term length for representatives | 2 years |
| Number of Senators per state | 2 |
| Term length for Senators | 6 years |
| Minimum age for representatives | 25 years |
| Minimum age for senators | 30 years |
| Citizenship requirement for representatives | 7 years |
| Citizenship requirement for senators | 9 years |
| Agencies supporting members of Congress | Government Accountability Office, Congressional Budget Office, Library of Congress |
| Approx. number of legislative branch employees working directly for Members of Congress | 12,500 |
| Approx. number of legislative branch committee staff | 6,000 |
| Entry-level position in congressional offices | Staff assistant |
| Senior positions in congressional offices | Legislative assistant, legislative director, chief of staff, press secretary, communications director |
| Approx. number of congressional staffers | 31,000 |
| Power | Law-making |
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What You'll Learn
- The legislative branch is composed of two bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate
- Congressional staffers are information gatherers, gatekeepers and policy advisers
- The legislative branch has the power to make laws
- The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year
- The legislative process is often long and difficult
The legislative branch is composed of two bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate
The House of Representatives, sometimes referred to as "the people's house", has 435 voting representatives. Each state's number of representatives is based on its population, with each state having at least one representative. The U.S. territories and the District of Columbia are represented in the House by delegates who perform many of the same functions but cannot vote on the final passage of legislation. To be elected to the House, a person must be at least 25 years old, a citizen of the United States for seven years or more, and a resident of the state that they represent. Members of the House serve two-year terms.
The Senate, on the other hand, is organized under the principle of equal state representation, with each state, regardless of its population, receiving two senators. There are a total of 100 senators, and every two years, 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election. Senators serve six-year terms. To be elected to the Senate, a person must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States for nine years or more, and a resident of the state that they represent. The U.S. territories and the District of Columbia are not represented in the Senate.
Congressional staffers play a crucial role in the legislative branch. They serve as information gatherers, gatekeepers, and policy advisors. Internships are an excellent way to start a career in the legislative branch, and many congressional staffers began as interns. Entry-level positions in congressional offices include staff assistant, and common committee positions include committee clerk, counsel, and professional staff members. Senior positions include legislative assistant, legislative director, chief of staff, press secretary, and communications director.
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Congressional staffers are information gatherers, gatekeepers and policy advisers
The legislative branch is composed of two bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House, sometimes referred to as "the people's house", has 435 voting representatives, with each state's number of representatives based on its population. The Senate, on the other hand, has two senators for each state, regardless of its population. The legislative branch also includes agencies that support members of Congress, such as the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office.
Congressional staffers play a crucial role in the legislative branch as information gatherers, gatekeepers, and policy advisors. There are about 31,000 congressional staffers within the legislative branch. Approximately 12,500 legislative branch employees work directly for the Members of Congress in their personal offices, and 6,000 more work on committee staffs. Congressional staffers understand the nuances of the federal workforce and are well-informed on the issues faced by the federal workforce daily. They are responsible for handling a myriad of tasks, including conducting research, drafting legislation, and engaging with constituents. Their efforts ensure the smooth operation of individual offices and the legislative process as a whole.
Information gathering is a key aspect of a congressional staffer's role. They are responsible for staying informed on a range of policy issues and gathering relevant information for the members of Congress they support. This includes conducting research, monitoring policy developments, and analysing data. By staying informed and gathering information, staffers can provide valuable insights and advice to members of Congress, helping them make informed decisions and effectively represent their constituents.
As gatekeepers, congressional staffers manage the flow of information and interactions between members of Congress and the public. They are often the first point of contact when constituents, interest groups, or other stakeholders reach out to a member of Congress. Staffers may respond to inquiries, handle correspondence, and facilitate meetings or hearings. By managing these interactions, staffers ensure that members of Congress can focus on their legislative duties while remaining accessible and responsive to their constituents.
Additionally, congressional staffers play a crucial role as policy advisors. They often have specific policy expertise and advise members of Congress on complex issues. Legislative Assistants, for example, focus on particular policy areas, conduct research, and advise congresspersons on related matters. They may also draft legislation, meet with stakeholders, and represent the congressperson in committee meetings. By providing policy advice, staffers help members of Congress develop informed positions, navigate policy debates, and make decisions that align with their constituents' interests.
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The legislative branch has the power to make laws
The legislative branch is composed of two bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate. These are supported by agencies such as the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office. The House, sometimes called "the people's house", has 435 voting representatives, with each state's number of representatives based on its population. The number of representatives for each state can change every 10 years as population numbers are based on the decennial census count.
The Constitution grants Congress—the legislative branch—the power to make laws. Article I of the Constitution outlines the legislative branch and sets out the powers of Congress, as well as listing limits to those powers. Each Congress lasts for two years, and at the end of each Congress, all pending bills that have not been enacted die. The legislative process is often long and difficult, and it is easier to kill a bill than it is to enact one.
Congressional staffers are important as they serve as information gatherers, gatekeepers, and policy advisors. They tend to be paid less and work longer hours than Executive Branch employees. Staffers typically start their careers by working on a political campaign or interning in a Member's office. Internships are an excellent way to land a job as a staff assistant, and many congressional staffers started as interns. Staffers can work their way up from junior positions to senior positions such as Legislative Assistant, Press Secretary, Legislative Director, and Chief of Staff.
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The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year
The House of Representatives, also known as "the people's house", is composed of members chosen every second year. Each member of the House represents a set number of constituents. The number of representatives with full voting rights is 435, a number that was set in 1911 and has been in effect since 1913. The number of representatives per state is proportionate to the population of that state. Each representative is elected to a two-year term, serving the people of a specific congressional district. To be elected, a representative must be at least 25 years old, a US citizen for a minimum of seven years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent.
The House of Representatives has several duties, including introducing bills and resolutions, offering amendments, and serving on committees. The House's standing committees have different legislative jurisdictions. Each considers bills and issues and recommends measures for consideration by the House. Committees also have oversight responsibilities to monitor agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions. The Committee of the Whole House is a committee in which all representatives serve and which meets in the House Chamber for the consideration of measures from the Union calendar.
The House also has the power to choose their Speaker and other officers, and they hold the sole power of impeachment. The Speaker acts as the leader of the House and combines several institutional and administrative roles. Majority and minority leaders represent their respective parties on the House floor.
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The legislative process is often long and difficult
The legislative branch is responsible for making laws, a process that can be complex and time-consuming. Congressional staffers play a crucial role in this process, serving as information gatherers, gatekeepers, and policy advisors. They work long hours, often 12-14 hour days, and are typically paid less than their Executive Branch counterparts. Staffers start their careers by working on political campaigns or interning in a Member's office, gradually moving into more senior positions as they gain experience and the trust of their superiors.
The legislative process involves the introduction of bills, which are proposals for new laws or changes to existing ones. These bills must go through several stages, including committee hearings, debate, and amendment, before being voted on by the House and Senate. If a bill passes both chambers, it is sent to the President for approval. The President can sign the bill into law or veto it, sending it back to Congress for further revisions.
Additionally, the legislative process is influenced by civil dialogue and political compromise. With members of Congress holding diverse political views, reaching consensus can be challenging. Negotiations, coalitions, and amendments are often necessary to gain enough support for a bill to pass. Furthermore, the two-year term of each Congress adds pressure, as any pending bills that have not been enacted by the end of the two years die ("sine die"). This means that lawmakers must work within tight deadlines, adding to the complexity of the legislative process.
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Frequently asked questions
The legislative branch is composed of two bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House, sometimes referred to as "the people's house", has 435 voting representatives, with each state's number of representatives based on its population. The Senate, on the other hand, has two Senators from each state, regardless of its population.
The legislative branch has the power to make laws. Each Congress lasts for two years, and at the end of each Congress, all pending bills that have not been enacted die. The legislative process is often long and difficult, and it is easier to kill a bill than to enact one.
Congressional staffers make up the legislative branch. They are federal employees who understand the nuances of the federal workforce and are better informed on what the federal workforce faces daily. There are about 31,000 congressional staffers within the Legislative Branch. Entry-level positions are usually staff assistants, and internships are an excellent way to land this job. Senior positions include legislative assistant, legislative director, chief of staff, press secretary, and communications director.
