Omar Bennett
The United States Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, established by Article I of the Constitution. The Constitution grants Congress the authority to enact legislation, declare war, confirm or reject Presidential appointments, and substantial investigative powers. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population, with 6 non-voting members representing the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and four other US territories. The Senate is composed of 100 members, two from each state, regardless of population or area. Senators are elected for six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate up for re-election every two years. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have equal legislative functions and powers, with certain exceptions, such as only the House of Representatives being able to originate revenue and appropriation bills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | The US Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. |
| Number of members in the House of Representatives | 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. There are also 6 non-voting members, representing the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and four other territories of the US. |
| Number of members in the Senate | 100 members, two from each state, regardless of population or area. |
| Term of office for Senators | Six years, with one-third of the Senate up for re-election every two years. |
| Minimum age for Senators | 30 years |
| Citizenship requirement for Senators | US citizen for at least nine years |
| Residence requirement for Senators | Resident of the state they represent |
| Powers | The Constitution grants Congress the authority to enact legislation, declare war, confirm or reject Presidential appointments, and conduct investigations. Congress also has the power to raise and support armies, provide for the calling and organizing of the militia, and exercise exclusive legislation over a district not exceeding ten miles square. |
| Legislative authority | Congress has the sole power to make new laws or change existing ones. All legislative powers are vested in Congress, and it is responsible for establishing the annual budget, levying taxes and tariffs, and authorizing borrowing if necessary. |
| Meeting requirements | Congress must assemble at least once a year, with the default meeting date being the first Monday in December unless changed by law. |
| Quorum requirement | A majority of each House constitutes a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day. |
| Adjournment rules | Neither House may adjourn for more than three days during a session of Congress without the consent of the other House. |
| Compensation | Senators and Representatives receive compensation for their services, determined by law and paid from the US Treasury. |
| Arrest protection | Senators and Representatives are privileged from arrest in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace during their attendance at their respective House sessions and when traveling to and from those sessions. |
| Appointment restrictions | No Senator or Representative may be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the US during their term of office, nor may any person holding such an office be a member of either House. |
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What You'll Learn
- Congress is one of three coequal branches of government
- It is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate
- Senators must be at least 30 years old and are elected for six-year terms
- Congress has the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war
- It can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote
Congress is one of three coequal branches of government
Congress is one of the three coequal branches of the US government, alongside the Executive and Judicial branches. It is the legislative branch, established by Article I of the US Constitution, and consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The Constitution grants Congress the authority to enact legislation and declare war, confirm or reject Presidential appointments, and conduct investigations. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. There are also six non-voting members, representing the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and four other US territories.
The Senate, on the other hand, has 100 members, with two Senators representing each state, regardless of its population. Senators are elected for six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate up for re-election every two years. The terms of the two Senators from each state are staggered, so they do not end at the same time.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have equal legislative functions and powers, with certain exceptions. For example, only the House of Representatives can originate revenue and appropriation bills.
Congress has the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the powers given to the government by the Constitution. This includes levying taxes and tariffs to fund essential government services and authorizing borrowing if necessary. Congress can also mandate specific spending through "earmarks," which direct funds toward particular projects.
The legislative process in Congress involves both the House and the Senate. Bills must pass through both houses before going to the President for consideration. The two houses may have different versions of the same bill, and the full and open discussion provided under the Constitution often leads to amendments and improvements before a bill becomes law.
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It is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate
The United States Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, established by Article I of the Constitution. This article also enumerates the powers of Congress and the specific areas in which it may legislate. Congress is one of the three coequal branches of government, and it is the only part of the government that can make new laws or change existing ones.
The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. Additionally, there are six non-voting members, representing the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and four other US territories. The presiding officer of the chamber is the Speaker of the House, elected by the Representatives. The House of Representatives also originates most laws and appropriation bills.
The Senate is composed of 100 members, two from each state, elected by the people in accordance with the 17th Amendment to the Constitution. Senators are elected for six-year terms, and every two years, one-third of the Senate is up for re-election. Senators must be at least 30 years old, US citizens for nine years or more, and residents of the state they represent.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have equal legislative functions and powers, with certain exceptions. For example, only the House of Representatives can originate revenue bills. Each house determines the rules of its proceedings, and each must pass a bill before it goes to the President for consideration.
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Senators must be at least 30 years old and are elected for six-year terms
The United States Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Legislative Branch, which includes both the House of Representatives and the Senate, was established by Article I of the Constitution. This article also enumerates the powers of Congress and the specific areas in which it may legislate.
Senators must be at least 30 years old, as per the 17th Amendment to the Constitution. They must also be citizens of the United States for at least nine years and residents of the state that they represent. Senators are elected for six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate being up for re-election every two years. This staggered election process ensures that the Senate is a continuing body, with a constant presence of experienced senators.
The Senate has 100 members, two from each state, regardless of population or area. Senators are elected by the people, and they have equal legislative functions and powers as the House of Representatives, with certain exceptions. For example, only the House of Representatives can originate revenue and appropriation bills.
The Senate has a different debate process compared to the House. Senators may speak to issues other than the bill under consideration, and any amendment can be introduced. This can lead to the filibuster procedure, where a senator delays a vote on a bill by refusing to yield the floor. A supermajority of 60 senators can, however, break a filibuster and force a vote.
The Senate and the House of Representatives together form the United States Congress, which has significant powers ascribed by the Constitution. Congress is the sole body with the authority to enact legislation and declare war, confirm or reject Presidential appointments, and it possesses substantial investigative powers.
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Congress has the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war
The US Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war. This is outlined in Article I, which establishes the legislative branch of the US government and outlines its powers.
The "Declare War Clause" of the Constitution explicitly states that Congress has the power "to declare war, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water". This clause gives Congress the authority to initiate a formal declaration of war, which is a solemn and weighty responsibility.
Congress also has the power to "raise and support Armies", but with the important limitation that no appropriation of money for this purpose can exceed two years. Additionally, Congress is responsible for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, as well as providing for the common defence and general welfare of the United States.
While Congress has the sole authority to declare war, there have been disputes between Congress and the Executive Branch over war powers. The War Powers Resolution (WPR) was enacted in 1973 to address these disputes and ensure that both Congress and the President have a say in the introduction of US Armed Forces into hostilities. However, the WPR has been controversial and has had little effect on the military decisions of sitting Presidents.
Congress's authority to enact legislation is also established in Article I of the Constitution. This includes the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution the powers vested in the US government. Congress can also regulate interstate commerce, establish post offices and post roads, and establish uniform laws on bankruptcy throughout the United States.
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It can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote
Congress is the legislative branch of the US government, established by Article I of the US Constitution. It consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress.
The Constitution grants Congress the authority to enact legislation, declare war, confirm or reject presidential appointments, and exercise investigative powers. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. There are also six non-voting members, representing the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and four other US territories. The Senate, on the other hand, has 100 members, with two senators representing each state, regardless of its population. Senators are elected to six-year terms, and every two years, one-third of the Senate is up for re-election.
Congress plays a crucial role in the law-making process. For a bill to become a law, it must be passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate before going to the President for consideration. The President may veto the bill, but Congress can override this veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This ability to override a presidential veto highlights the system of checks and balances in the US government, where Congress acts as a counterbalance to the power of the President.
Additionally, Congress has the power to establish an annual budget, levy taxes and tariffs, authorize borrowing, and mandate spending on specific items. These fiscal powers enable Congress to fund essential government services and ensure the government's financial stability.
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Frequently asked questions
Congress is divided into two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is composed of 100 members, with two from each state, while the House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population.
To be a member of the House of Representatives, one must be at least 25 years old, a US citizen for seven years or more, and an inhabitant of the state they represent. To be a Senator, one must be at least 30 years old, a US citizen for nine years or more, and a resident of the state they represent.
Congress has the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war, confirm or reject Presidential appointments, and conduct investigations. It also has the power to raise and support armies, provide for the calling and organisation of the militia, and exercise exclusive legislation over a district not exceeding ten miles square.
