Understanding The Core Duties Of Us Congress

The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the US government, and its main duty is to create laws. Congress is divided into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each state sends elected representatives and senators to Congress, and each chamber has its own roles and responsibilities. The duties of Congress include funding government functions and programs, holding hearings to inform the legislative process, and providing oversight of the executive branch. Congress also has the power to lay and collect taxes, regulate commerce, establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and more. Members of Congress introduce and vote on bills, serve on committees, and shape the federal budget.

Explore related products

United States Stamp Duties: Containing all the Acts of Congress, and Decisions of Commissioner of Internal Revenue Relating Thereto

$31.16

United States Stamp Duties Containing All the Acts of Congress and Decisions of Commissioner of Internal Revenue Relating Thereto

$13.5

Import Duties of the United States

$23.95

United States Code Title 19 Customs Duties: December 2023 Edition (Part III) (Part I, II and III Book 3)

$9.99 $29.99

CFR Title 8 Part 287 Field Officers; Powers and Duties: Immigration Regulation, Current and Updated

$12.99 $12.99

A Comparative View Of The Existing Tariff Of Duties On Goods Imported From Foreign Countries (1820)

$22.95

Enact laws and manage national legislation

Enacting laws and managing national legislation is a key function of the US Congress. Congress is the legislative branch of the US government, and its primary role is to create laws that influence the daily lives of all Americans. Congress is divided into two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate, which work together to pass legislation. Each state has a number of representatives in the House based on its population, and each state has two senators.

The process of creating laws usually begins with a bill, which can be introduced by members of Congress or initiated by the Executive branch, interest groups, lobbyists, state legislatures, constituents, legislative counsel, or executive agencies. A bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. Bills are referred to committees for review and debate, and witnesses and experts can present their cases for or against a bill. Committees may amend the bill, but the full House has the power to accept or reject these amendments. After debate and mark-up sessions, the committee votes on whether to report the measure to the full House. If a bill is tabled, it is rejected. If it proceeds, both the House and the Senate must pass the bill for it to become a law.

The House of Representatives plays a crucial role in the federal budget process, particularly in initiating and shaping appropriations bills. Appropriations are decisions made by Congress about allocating discretionary federal spending across various aspects of the federal government, from national defence to education. The House Budget Committee crafts a budget resolution, which sets overall spending levels and revenue targets, and the House Appropriations Committee holds hearings to examine budget requests and needs of federal programs. The full House then considers the resulting spending bills.

Congress also has the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, and to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among other powers outlined in the US Constitution.

Fund government functions and programs

Funding government functions and programs is a key responsibility of the US Congress. The House of Representatives, in particular, plays a crucial role in the federal budget process, especially in initiating and shaping appropriations bills. The House Budget Committee crafts a budget resolution, which sets overall spending levels and revenue targets for the upcoming fiscal year. Once this resolution is adopted, it serves as the framework for considering spending bills.

The House Appropriations Committee, through its 12 subcommittees, holds hearings to examine the budget requests and needs of federal programs. These subcommittees produce appropriations bills to fund various aspects of the federal government, adhering to the spending limits set in the budget resolution. The full House then considers these bills, typically starting in May or June. The House also forms special or select committees for specific purposes and limited durations, often for investigations.

Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises to fund government operations and programs. It can also borrow money on behalf of the United States, regulate commerce, and establish rules for naturalization and bankruptcy. Additionally, Congress oversees the executive branch and holds hearings to inform the legislative process.

The US Congress is the legislative branch of the US government, elected by and answerable to the American people. It consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives, with each state having two senators and a number of representatives based on its population. The Senate and the House work together to pass legislation, and no bill can become a law without the approval of both houses.

Oversee the executive branch

Congress is tasked with overseeing the executive branch of the US government. This responsibility is outlined in Article I of the United States Constitution, which established the legislative branch, known as Congress. As the legislative branch, Congress is responsible for creating laws and policies that influence the daily lives of all Americans.

Congress's role in overseeing the executive branch involves holding hearings, conducting investigations, and collecting information to inform the legislative process. They also have the power to establish and oversee various commissions and advisory bodies to assist in legislative, investigative, or policy-related matters.

One of the key ways Congress oversees the executive branch is through congressional committees. These committees, composed of members from both the House and the Senate, question executive branch officials, including those from the Department of State, about matters of foreign policy, internal operations, and other relevant subjects. For example, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee plays a crucial role in overseeing the executive branch's foreign policy priorities.

Additionally, Congress has the authority to confirm the President's departmental and ambassadorial nominees, further influencing the direction of the executive branch. This includes the confirmation of the Secretary of State, who serves as the principal Congressional Relations Officer, ensuring that the administration's foreign policy priorities align with the legislative process.

Congress also plays a crucial role in the federal budget process, particularly in initiating and shaping appropriations bills. The House Budget Committee crafts a budget resolution, setting spending levels and revenue targets, which guides the consideration of spending bills. This process allows Congress to allocate discretionary federal spending across various aspects of the executive branch, from national defence to education.

Explore related products

Import duties of the United States. The tariff act approved July 24, 1897. Fifty-fifth Congress, first session. Bulletin No. 75, July, 1897

$12.95

Speech of Hon. Horace Mann, on the right of Congress to legislate for the territories of the United States, and its duty to exclude slavery therefrom

$8.99

Speech of Mr. Horace Mann, of Mass., on the right of Congress to legislate for the territories of the United States, and its duty to exclude slavery therefrom

$8.99

Tariff Schedules: Hearings Before and Briefs Filed with the Subcommittee of the Committee On Finance, United States Senate. Sixty-Third Congress, ... 3321, an Act to Reduce Tariff Duties and to

$18.99

Duties on Philippine Products. Hearings Before the Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives (58th Congress, 3d Session) ..

$34.95

Import Duties Of The United States: The Tariff Act Approved July 24, 1897, Commonly Known As "the Dingley Law" : Fifty-fifth Congress, First Session...

$18.75

Represent the people of a specific congressional district

Representing the people of a specific congressional district is a key duty of the US Congress. The US Congress is the "heart and soul of democracy", according to scholar and representative Lee H Hamiliton. Congress is a bicameral legislature, divided into two equal institutions: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each state sends elected representatives and senators to Congress.

The House of Representatives is composed of 435 members, with each state's number of representatives proportionate to its population. Representatives are elected to two-year terms, serving the people of a specific congressional district. 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 they represent.

The House plays a crucial role in the federal budget process, particularly in initiating and shaping appropriations bills. The House also has the power to introduce and pass bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees. Committees are an important part of the legislative process, as they review and debate proposed legislation, with witnesses and experts presenting their cases for or against a bill. The House also has the power to hold hearings to inform the legislative process and conduct oversight of the executive branch.

The Senate, on the other hand, is composed of 100 members, with each state having two senators. Senators are elected to six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate up for re-election every two years. To be elected to the Senate, a person must be at least 30 years old, a US citizen for nine years or more, and a resident of the state they represent.

The House and Senate work together to pass legislation, and no bill can become a law without passing both houses of Congress. This collaborative process ensures that the Congress represents the people of the United States and enacts laws that influence their daily lives.

Create and manage committees

Committees are an essential part of the US Congress's legislative process. Congress manages the task of writing national legislation by dividing the work into separate committees that specialize in different areas. Each committee has a chair, who belongs to the majority party, and a ranking member from the minority party. The chair heads the full committee, while the ranking member leads the minority members. Witnesses and experts can present their case for or against a bill before the committee.

The committees are either temporary or permanent. Congress creates temporary committees for a short time period and a specific purpose, often an investigation. Permanent committees, on the other hand, serve as advisory bodies for investigative or policy-related issues or to carry out administrative, interparliamentary, or commemorative tasks. These permanent committees are typically created by law or House resolution and may be composed of House members, private citizens, or a mix of both.

The US House of Representatives has several committees, including the House Budget Committee, which crafts the budget resolution, and the House Appropriations Committee, which holds hearings to examine budget requests and needs of federal programs. The Rules Committee, meanwhile, controls what bills go to the House Floor and the terms of debate. The Speaker of the House, meanwhile, is responsible for appointing committee members and chairs.

Congressional committees also play a role in foreign policy. The Department of State's Bureau of Legislative Affairs facilitates communication between State Department officials and the Members of Congress and their staff. They work closely with authorizing, appropriations, and oversight committees of the House and Senate. Congressional committees can question Department officials about matters of foreign policy, internal operations, and other subjects as they see fit.

Frequently asked questions