Omar Bennett
Article I of the U.S. Constitution established the Congress, a bicameral legislature of the United States of America, structurally separated from the executive and judicial branches of government. It consists of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The two chambers are fundamentally equal in their legislative roles and functions, with each house keeping a journal of its proceedings. The Congress has various powers, including the ability to declare war, raise and support armies, and make all laws necessary for the execution of its powers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legislative powers | Granted to a bicameral Congress: a House of Representatives and a Senate |
| Legislative process | Majority party leaders in the House set the policy agenda and decide which proposals will receive floor consideration |
| Senate rules and procedures favor deliberation over quick action | |
| Congressional action is typically planned and coordinated by party leaders in each chamber | |
| Congressional committees are responsible for oversight of policy implementation | |
| The President has influence in the legislative process | |
| Only the House can originate revenue legislation | |
| Only the Senate confirms presidential nominations and approves treaties | |
| Enactment of law requires both chambers to agree to the same bill before presenting it to the President | |
| The President's veto may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of each chamber | |
| Congressional structure | Congress is separated structurally from the executive and judicial branches of government |
| Congressional responsibilities | Congress lays and collects taxes, borrows money, regulates commerce, coins money, declares war, raises and supports armies, and makes all laws necessary for the execution of its powers |
| Congressional meetings | Congress shall assemble at least once a year, on the first Monday in December, unless a different day is appointed by law |
| Congressional membership | Each state is represented by two senators, and members of the House of Representatives are elected based on population |
| Senators are elected for six-year terms, and every two years 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election | |
| House members are elected for two-year terms from 435 population-based districts | |
| Congressional records | Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy |
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What You'll Learn
Article I of the US Constitution grants legislative powers to Congress
Article I outlines the powers and responsibilities of Congress, including the power to make all necessary laws, declare war, raise and support armies, regulate commerce, and coin money. It also establishes the structure and procedures of Congress, including the requirement for each house to keep a journal of its proceedings and the compensation for senators and representatives.
The Senate and the House of Representatives have different ways of processing legislation due to their constitutional differences. The House of Representatives allows a numerical majority to process legislation quickly, while the Senate favours deliberation and provides procedural leverage to individual senators. Congressional action is typically planned and coordinated by party leaders in each chamber.
The two chambers are equal in their legislative roles and functions. While only the House can originate revenue legislation, and only the Senate confirms presidential nominations and approves treaties, the enactment of law requires both chambers to agree to the same bill before presenting it to the president. The president has the power to veto proposed legislation, which can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of each chamber of Congress.
In addition to its legislative powers, Congress has the responsibility to provide oversight of policy implementation through its committees. It also has express powers such as the power to lay and collect taxes, borrow money on behalf of the United States, and make rules concerning captures on land and water.
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Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives
Congress, the legislature of the United States of America, was established under the Constitution of 1789. It consists of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. This bicameral structure was designed to balance the effects of popular majorities with the interests of the states.
The Senate is comprised of 100 members, with each state, regardless of its size, represented by two senators. Senators are elected for six-year terms, with one-third of the chamber up for re-election every two years. To be eligible, 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 they represent. The Senate is characterized by a more deliberative approach, with significant procedural leverage given to individual senators. The leader of the majority party typically proposes items for consideration, but they must negotiate with minority party leaders and individual senators to advance legislation.
The House of Representatives, on the other hand, has members elected from 435 population-based districts, serving two-year terms. This chamber prioritizes efficiency, allowing a numerical majority to process legislation quickly. The majority party leaders in the House play a crucial role in setting the policy agenda and deciding which proposals receive floor consideration.
While each chamber has distinct rules and practices, they share equal legislative roles and functions. They work together to enact laws, with the House originating revenue legislation and the Senate confirming presidential nominations and approving treaties. Both chambers must separately agree to the same bill before presenting it to the president for signature or veto. Additionally, Congress as a whole has responsibilities such as assembling annually, counting electoral votes for the president and vice president, and overseeing policy implementation through committees.
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Congress has powers to declare war, raise armies, and make laws
The US Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, raise and support armies, and make laws. These powers are outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which enumerates Congress's powers regarding war and peace.
The power to declare war includes the authority to define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, as well as offences against the Law of Nations. Congress can also grant letters of marque and reprisal and make rules concerning captures on land and water. This power to declare war is an important check and balance on the president's war powers, ensuring that the US does not engage in needless conflicts.
Congress also has the power to raise and support armies, including the militia and the regular army. This includes the authority to organise, arm, discipline, and govern the militia, as well as to appropriate money for the army for a term not exceeding two years. The power to raise and support armies is another important check on the president's power, as it gives Congress significant influence over the size and strength of the military.
In addition to these war powers, Congress has the general power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution the powers vested in the Constitution. This includes laws regarding the election of senators and representatives, the compensation of senators and representatives, and the privileges of members of Congress.
While Congress has these powers, there have been disputes throughout history, especially regarding war powers. For example, in 1951, President Truman attempted to seize private US steel mills to prevent a nationwide labour strike from derailing war efforts, but the Supreme Court ruled that he did not have the power to do so without congressional authorisation. Similarly, in 2011, the House of Representatives voted to rebuke President Obama for maintaining an American presence in NATO operations in Libya, which they considered a violation of the War Powers Resolution.
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Congress must assemble at least once a year
The United States Congress, the country's legislature, was established under the Constitution of 1789. It is structurally separated from the executive and judicial branches of government. Congress is bicameral, consisting of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each state is represented by two senators, and members of the House of Representatives are elected based on population.
Article I of the Constitution mandates that Congress "shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day." This provision ensures that Congress meets at least annually to conduct its legislative duties and address matters of national importance.
The requirement for Congress to assemble at least once a year is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures continuity in governance and law-making. By mandating a minimum number of meetings, the Constitution guarantees that Congress actively engages in its legislative responsibilities and addresses the needs of the nation. Regular assemblies allow for the timely introduction, debate, and enactment of laws, reflecting the dynamic nature of governance and the evolving needs of society.
Secondly, the annual assembly requirement facilitates coordination and collaboration between the two houses of Congress. While the Senate and the House of Representatives have distinct roles and procedures, they must work together to pass legislation. By convening at least once a year, Congress ensures that both chambers are aligned and can find common ground, even if they operate differently.
Additionally, the annual assembly allows Congress to oversee the implementation of policies and maintain accountability. Committees within Congress play a crucial role in providing oversight and conducting investigations into public policy matters. By assembling regularly, Congress can effectively monitor the executive branch's activities and hold them accountable for their actions. This oversight function is essential for maintaining checks and balances in the government.
The assembly also provides an opportunity for Congress to receive updates from the President and government agencies. The President is expected to keep Congress informed about the need for new legislation and periodically submit reports on their activities. Congress can discuss and deliberate on the information presented during the assembly, enabling them to make informed decisions and formulate appropriate legislative responses.
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Each House keeps a Journal of its proceedings
The United States Congress, the country's legislature, was established under the Constitution of 1789. It consists of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Article I of the U.S. Constitution grants all legislative powers to this bicameral Congress.
Each house of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives, is required to keep a Journal of its proceedings. This is outlined in Article I, Section 5, Clause 3 of the Constitution, which states that "Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy". This clause ensures that the proceedings of each house are recorded and made public, with the exception of any sensitive information that may need to be kept confidential.
The Journals of both houses are intended to provide a comprehensive record of their legislative activities, debates, and decisions. They include information such as the dates and times of meetings, the names of members present, the details of any debates or discussions that took place, and the outcomes of any votes or decisions made. The Journals also document the introduction and progress of bills, resolutions, and other legislative measures.
The requirement to keep a Journal serves several important purposes. Firstly, it promotes transparency and accountability by providing a public record of the activities of each house. This allows citizens, the media, and other interested parties to stay informed about the work of their representatives and the legislative process as a whole. Secondly, the Journals provide a historical record, enabling future reference, research, and analysis of the legislative process and the development of various laws and policies. Additionally, the Journals help to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the legislative process by providing a detailed account of the proceedings, which can be referred back to if any questions or disputes arise.
The Journals of both houses are usually published regularly, often online, and are available to the public. However, it is worth noting that each house has the discretion to withhold certain information from the published Journals if they deem it necessary to maintain secrecy for reasons such as national security or the protection of personal privacy.
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Frequently asked questions
Article I of the US Constitution created a bicameral Congress, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce, coin money, declare war, raise and support armies, and make all laws necessary for the execution of its powers.
Congress is required to assemble at least once a year, with meetings taking place on the first Monday in December unless a different day is appointed by law.
Congress is responsible for processing and enacting legislation. Each chamber has its own rules, with the House allowing a numerical majority to act quickly and the Senate favouring deliberation. The President also plays a role in the legislative process by influencing and signing or vetoing proposed legislation.
Members of the House of Representatives are elected based on population, while each state is represented by two senators in the Senate, regardless of its size. Senators are elected for six-year terms, with one-third of the chamber up for election every two years.
