Eleanor Finch
The Legislative Branch, established by Article I of the US Constitution, is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress. The House of Representatives is composed of 435 voting representatives, with each state's number of representatives based on its population. Senators, on the other hand, are elected to six-year terms by the people of each state, with each state having two senators. To be a member of the House of Representatives, one must be at least 25 years old, a US citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state they represent. To be a senator, one must be at least 30 years old, a US citizen for at least nine years, and a resident of the state they represent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of members | 435 voting representatives |
| Term length | 2 years |
| Age | 25 years or older for the House of Representatives; 30 years or older for the Senate |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen for at least 7 years for the House of Representatives; U.S. citizen for at least 9 years for the Senate |
| Residency | Resident of the state they represent |
| Meeting frequency | At least once per year |
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What You'll Learn
Minimum age, citizenship, and residency requirements for Representatives
The legislative branch is composed of two bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is sometimes referred to as "the people's house", and its members are chosen every two years by the people of the states.
To be a Representative, there are three minimum qualifications that must be met, as outlined in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution. Firstly, a minimum age of twenty-five years is required. Secondly, Representatives must have been citizens of the United States for at least seven years. Lastly, they must be inhabitants of the state from which they are elected when chosen.
The House, comprising 435 voting representatives, is made up of members from each state, with the number of representatives per state proportional to its population. Each representative serves a two-year term and is elected to represent the people of a specific congressional district.
In addition to the minimum age, citizenship, and residency requirements, Representatives are responsible for introducing bills and resolutions, offering amendments, and serving on committees. They also have oversight responsibilities to monitor agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions.
The legislative branch also includes various agencies and offices that provide support services to Congress, such as the Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Library of Congress. These bodies offer congressional internships and employment opportunities for those interested in working in the legislative branch.
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Additional requirements for Senators
To become a Senator in the United States, there are several qualifications that one must meet. These requirements are outlined in Article I, Section 2 of the US Constitution, which establishes the legislative branch of government. This branch is composed of two bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Senators must be at least thirty years old, have been a US citizen for at least nine years, and reside in the state for which they are chosen.
In addition to these basic qualifications, there are several other important requirements that one must meet to become a Senator. Firstly, it is essential to have a strong understanding of the legislative process and the lawmaking process. Senators are responsible for introducing and voting on bills, as well as serving on committees, so a thorough knowledge of legislative procedures is crucial.
Another key requirement for Senators is the ability to build consensus and work effectively with others. Senators must be able to collaborate with their colleagues, negotiate compromises, and build bipartisan support for their initiatives. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are, therefore, essential for Senators.
Furthermore, Senators should possess a deep understanding of the issues that are important to their constituents and their state. They need to be well-versed in a range of policy areas, from economics and healthcare to education and foreign policy. Senators must also be able to balance the needs and interests of their state with the broader goals of the nation.
Additionally, Senators are expected to have strong leadership skills and the ability to develop and communicate a clear legislative agenda. They should be able to inspire and motivate their constituents, as well as effectively represent their interests at the national level. This includes being responsive to the needs and concerns of their state and district, and working to address them through legislative action.
Lastly, it is important for Senators to have a good understanding of the federal budget process and the impact of fiscal policies. They should be able to analyze and interpret budgetary information, as well as make informed decisions about funding priorities. Senators play a crucial role in shaping the nation's budget and fiscal policies, so a strong grasp of economic and financial matters is essential.
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Internships and academic credit
Internships are a great way to gain experience and knowledge about the legislative branch and the law-making process. They are also a fantastic way to prepare for and land a full-time position in a congressional office. Many congressional staffers began their careers as interns. Internships are available for both Democratic and Republican members of Congress, and it is important to ensure that your values and outlook align with the member you will be working for.
Congressional internships are a great way to gain academic credit, especially for those interested in pursuing careers in government. They provide a unique opportunity to learn about the legislative process and develop valuable skills. Interns will gain an understanding of the complex dynamics between the different branches of government and their system of checks and balances.
When applying for an internship, it is worth noting that most congressional offices operate independently, and so the same or similar jobs may have different titles, roles, and responsibilities. Entry-level positions in congressional offices are usually staff assistant roles, which interns can progress into. Senior positions include legislative assistant, legislative director, chief of staff, press secretary, and communications director.
It is worth noting that internships are not limited to physical offices. Interns can also work with congressional caucuses, which are formed by groups of members who share common goals and interests. Interns can also work for the internal support offices, such as the House or Senate Sergeant at Arms, or the Legislative Counsel.
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Congressional committees and caucuses
Congressional committees are small groups of members, both Democrats and Republicans, who hold committee hearings and debate legislation specific to the focus area of that committee. Each party assigns its members to committees, and each committee distributes its members among subcommittees. The Senate places limits on the number and types of panels any one senator may serve on and chair. Committees have staff, and advocates may meet with committee staff.
Committees are subsidiary organisations, established for the purpose of considering legislation, conducting hearings and investigations, or carrying out other assignments as instructed by the Senate. Hearings are a method by which committee members gather information. Business dealt with in hearings may be broadly classified into four types: legislative, oversight, investigative, and consideration of presidential nominations.
The Senate has 20 standing committees, and the House has 21. Both chambers of Congress have additional joint and select committees. The chair of each committee and the majority of its members represent whichever party is the majority party in that chamber at the time. The minority party also has members assigned to the committee, and the leader of the minority side on the committee is called the Ranking Member.
Examples of committees include the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, the House Appropriations Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and the Senate Finance Committee.
A congressional caucus, on the other hand, is a group of members committed to common themes or legislative objectives. Caucuses are informal organisations of members of the House or the Senate, or both, that exist to discuss issues of mutual concern and possibly to perform legislative research and policy planning for their members. Caucuses can be regional, political or ideological, ethnic, and economic-based.
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The House's standing committees
The legislative branch is composed of two bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is made up of members chosen every second year by the people of the states, with each state's number of representatives based on its population. To be a representative, one must be at least 25 years old, have been a US citizen for at least seven years, and be an inhabitant of the state in which they are chosen.
The House has 435 voting representatives, and the District of Columbia is represented by a delegate, as are the US territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands. The House leadership includes the speaker, majority and minority leaders, assistant leaders, whips, and a party caucus or conference. 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. Whips assist the leadership in managing their party's legislative program on the House floor.
Committees of the House include the Committee on Ethics, which has jurisdiction over the rules and statutes governing the conduct of members, officers, and employees while performing their official duties. Another committee is the Rules Committee, which controls what bills go to the House Floor and the terms of debate. The makeup of the Rules Committee has traditionally been weighted in favor of the majority party, with nine majority and four minority members.
Congress has also created temporary and permanent commissions to serve as advisory bodies for investigative or policy-related issues. These commissions may be composed of House members, private citizens, or a mix of both. For example, the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe is an independent US government agency composed of nine members of the US Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce.
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Frequently asked questions
The legislative branch is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress.
To be a member of the House of Representatives, one must be at least 25 years old, a US citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state they are elected from.
US senators must be at least 30 years old, citizens of the United States for at least nine years, and residents of the states from which they are elected.
Members of the House of Representatives are elected every two years.
The legislative branch has the power to create new laws, levy taxes, confirm or reject Presidential appointments, and conduct investigations.
