Eleanor Finch
The Legislative Branch of the US government is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, together known as the United States Congress. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. The Senate is composed of 100 Senators, 2 for each state. Senators and Representatives are elected by eligible voters in their states. The President, who is the head of the Executive Branch, is not directly elected by the people. Instead, the people elect the members of the Electoral College, who then cast the votes for President.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Branch | Legislative Branch |
| Composition | Senate and House of Representatives |
| Members | Senators and Representatives |
| Number of Senators | 100 (2 from each state) |
| Number of Representatives | 435 (divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population) |
| Term of Senators | Six years |
| Term of Representatives | Two years |
| Age requirement for Senators | 30 years |
| Age requirement for Representatives | 25 years |
| Voting rights | Citizens 18 years of age and older |
| Powers | Enact legislation, declare war, confirm or reject Presidential appointments, investigative powers, impeach |
| Election process | Elected by eligible voters in their states |
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What You'll Learn
The President is the head of state and enforces laws
The Legislative Branch, on the other hand, is responsible for making laws. It consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress. The House of Representatives is made up of elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. The number of representatives each state gets is determined by its population, with a minimum of two representatives per state. The Senate, on the other hand, is composed of 100 Senators, two from each state. Senators are elected to six-year terms, with staggered terms so that about one-third of the Senate is up for reelection every two years.
The Legislative Branch has the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war, as well as the power to confirm or reject Presidential appointments and ratify treaties. Congress can also remove the President from office in exceptional circumstances. The President's role in enforcing laws often involves working with Congress to ensure the effective implementation of legislation. While the President has the power to veto legislation, Congress can override this veto, demonstrating the system of checks and balances in place between the two branches of government.
In summary, while the President is the head of state and has the power to enforce laws, the process of electing the President involves the Electoral College. The President's role in enforcing laws is closely tied to the Legislative Branch, which is directly elected by the people and has the responsibility for creating and implementing legislation.
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The Vice President supports the President
The United States government is divided into three branches: the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch. The President of the United States administers the Executive Branch, which also includes the Vice President, the Cabinet, and other executive officers. While the President is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, the Vice President supports the President and the Cabinet in their duties.
The Vice President of the United States is second in the line of succession to the Presidency. In the event that the President is unable to serve, the Vice President assumes the role of President. The Vice President also serves as the President of the Senate and can cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie in the Senate. This is an important role, as the Senate is responsible for confirming or rejecting many Presidential appointments and ratifying treaties.
The Vice President is also a member of the Cabinet, which is composed of the heads of the executive departments and other high-ranking government officials. The Cabinet serves as a team of advisors to the President, and the Vice President participates in Cabinet meetings and discussions. The Vice President can provide input and advice on various policy matters and help coordinate the work of the different departments and agencies within the Executive Branch.
Additionally, the Vice President may be assigned specific responsibilities or tasks by the President. This can include representing the President at official events, meetings, or international engagements. The Vice President may also be tasked with leading or overseeing particular initiatives or projects that align with their expertise or areas of interest. By supporting the President in this way, the Vice President contributes to the development and implementation of policies and strategies that impact the nation.
In summary, the Vice President plays a crucial role in supporting the President and the Executive Branch. Through their duties as President of the Senate, their participation in the Cabinet, and their advisory role to the President, the Vice President helps to advance the President's agenda and ensure the effective functioning of the government.
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The Cabinet advises the President
The United States government is divided into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative branch, also known as Congress, is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The members of the House of Representatives and the Senate are directly elected by the people of their states. The House of Representatives has 435 members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. The Senate, on the other hand, has 100 Senators, with each state having two Senators. Senators are elected to six-year terms, and their elections are staggered so that approximately one-third of the Senate is up for reelection every two years.
The executive branch is headed by the President, who is not directly elected by the people. Instead, the President is chosen through the Electoral College process. The Electoral College is made up of 538 electors, apportioned by population to the 50 states, with each state having one elector for each member of their congressional delegation. The District of Columbia has three electors. The people of each state elect these electors, who then cast their votes for President. The candidate who receives a majority of at least 270 electoral votes wins the presidential election.
While the President is not directly elected by the people, the Cabinet, which serves as advisors to the President, can be considered to have a degree of indirect input from the people. The Cabinet includes the Vice President, heads of executive departments, and other high-ranking government officials. The President nominates the Cabinet members, who must then be approved by the Senate. The Vice President is also elected indirectly by the people through the Electoral College process, alongside the President.
The judicial branch, which includes the Supreme Court and other federal courts, is not directly elected by the people. The Supreme Court is composed of nine Justices who interpret laws according to the Constitution and hear cases pertaining to constitutional issues. These Justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
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The Senate is composed of 100 Senators
The United States Congress, which is part of the Legislative Branch of the federal government, is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Senate is composed of 100 Senators, with each of the 50 states being represented by two Senators serving six-year terms. Senators are elected by the people of each state and must be 30 years of age, U.S. citizens for at least nine years, and residents of the state they represent.
The Senate has several unique functions that form its ability to "'check and balance' the powers of other elements of the federal government. These include the power to confirm or reject many of the President's appointments, such as federal judges and Supreme Court justices, and to ratify treaties. The Senate must also consent to all treaties with foreign governments and can try all impeachments. Additionally, the Senate has the power to pass or defeat federal legislation, although it cannot initiate bills imposing taxes or appropriation bills.
The Vice President of the United States serves as President of the Senate and can cast the decisive vote in the event of a tie. The presiding officer of the Senate is the President pro tempore, who is traditionally the most senior member of the Senate's majority party. The Senate's legislative and executive business is managed and scheduled by the Senate's majority leader, who occasionally negotiates with the Senate's minority leader.
The Senate is considered a more deliberative and prestigious body than the House of Representatives due to its longer terms, smaller size, and statewide constituencies, which have historically led to a less partisan atmosphere. The Senate also has a practice known as the filibuster, where members can delay or block a vote on a bill by speaking for an extended period.
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The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members
In the United States, the Legislative Branch of the federal government is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress. The House of Representatives is the lower house, with the Senate being the upper house. The House has 435 members, with the number representing each state determined by population. Each state is entitled to at least one representative, regardless of its population size. The House's presiding officer is the Speaker of the House, who is elected by the Representatives and is third in the line of succession to the Presidency.
The House of Representatives is established by Article One of the United States Constitution, which also sets out the House's powers and responsibilities. The House has the authority to pass or defeat federal legislation, known as bills, and any bills that are also passed by the Senate are sent to the President for signature or veto. The House has exclusive powers, including initiating all revenue bills, impeaching federal officers, and electing the President if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the Electoral College.
Members of the House of Representatives are elected every two years and must be at least 25 years old, have been a citizen of the United States for the past seven years, and be an inhabitant of the state they represent at the time of the election. While members are not required to live in the districts they represent, they traditionally do so. The House's composition is intended to represent the population of each state, with the number of representatives apportioned accordingly.
The Legislative Branch also includes special agencies and offices that provide support services to Congress, such as the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which audits and generates reports on government operations, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used effectively and efficiently. The Legislative Branch has substantial investigative powers and conducts oversight through hearings and committees dedicated to overseeing and reforming government operations.
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Frequently asked questions
The Legislative Branch, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, is directly elected by the people. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. The Senate is composed of 100 Senators, 2 from each state, who are also directly elected by the people of each state.
To be eligible to vote in US elections, citizens must be 18 years of age or older.
The Legislative Branch, also known as Congress, is responsible for making laws and conducting oversight of the government. Congress also has the power to confirm or reject Presidential appointments and to declare war.
Senators are elected to six-year terms, while members of the House of Representatives are elected every two years.
