Simone Lawson
The US Constitution establishes a federal structure with two overlapping power centers: the state government and the national government. The Constitution divides the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The legislative branch, also known as the United States Congress, is bicameral and consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the Congress. The House of Representatives is made up of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, while the Senate is composed of two Senators from each state, each with one vote.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of members | 535 voting members, including 100 senators and 435 representatives |
| Election of members | Direct election, though Senate vacancies may be filled by a governor's appointment |
| Term length | Two years |
| Age requirements | Senators must be at least 30 years old, while Representatives must be at least 25 years old |
| Citizenship requirements | Senators must be US citizens for at least nine years, while Representatives must be US citizens for at least seven years |
| Residence requirements | Senators must be residents of the state they represent |
| Powers | Enact legislation, declare war, confirm or reject presidential appointments, investigate, initiate impeachment (House), vote on conviction and removal from office for impeachment cases (Senate), ratify treaties (Senate) |
| Meeting frequency | At least once a year |
| Meeting location | United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The US Congress
The US Constitution divides the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The US Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. It is a bicameral legislature, with a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate. The two bodies meet in the United States Capitol in Washington, DC.
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 6 non-voting members, representing the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and four other US territories. The House elects a Speaker, who is third in the line of succession to the presidency. Members of the House are elected every two years and must be at least 25 years old and US citizens for at least seven years. The House initiates revenue-raising bills and has the sole power of impeachment.
The Senate is composed of 100 Senators, 2 from each state, serving 6-year terms. Senators must be at least 30 years old and US citizens for at least nine years. The Vice President of the United States serves as President of the Senate and may cast the decisive vote in the event of a tie. The Senate has the sole power to confirm presidential appointments and ratify treaties.
The Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to enact legislation and declare war, the right to confirm or reject many presidential appointments, and substantial investigative powers. Legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers. A bill must pass both houses of Congress before it goes to the President for consideration.
Democrats' Constitution Reading: Limited or Strong?
You may want to see also
The House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper house. The House of Representatives has 435 members, with the number representing each state determined by population. Members of the House of Representatives are elected every two years by the people of the several states, with each representative serving the people of a specific congressional district. The House has the power to initiate all revenue bills, impeach federal officers, and elect the president if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the Electoral College.
The members of the House of Representatives must meet certain qualifications. They must be at least twenty-five years old, have been citizens of the United States for at least seven years, and be inhabitants of the state in which they are chosen. Representatives are chosen by their peers and serve a term of two years, with each seat up for election before the start of the next Congress.
Seats vacated during a term are typically filled through special elections, unless the vacancy occurs close to the next general election date. In such cases, the seat may remain vacant until the next general election. Representatives are eligible for retirement benefits after serving for five years and receive an annual salary of $174,000, with additional compensation for leadership roles.
Justice in the Constitution: An Example
You may want to see also
The Senate
The United States Senate, formed in 1789, is modelled after the ancient Roman Senate, with the name derived from the Latin 'senatus', meaning council of elders. The US Senate is composed of two senators from each state, each holding one vote, and serving six-year terms. Senators must be at least thirty years old, and were, until 1913, appointed by their respective state legislatures. Since the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, senators have been elected by popular vote.
Constitution of 1787: Economic Benefits and Growth
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Separation of Powers
The US Constitution divides the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. This separation of powers ensures that no individual or group has too much power.
The legislative branch, established by Article I of the Constitution, consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress. 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 proportional to its population. Representatives must be at least 25 years old and citizens of the United States for at least seven years. The House has the sole power of impeachment and can initiate revenue-raising bills.
The Senate, on the other hand, is composed of two senators from each state, serving six-year terms. Senators must be at least 30 years old, US citizens for at least nine years, and residents of the state they represent. The Senate ratifies treaties, confirms presidential appointments, and votes on conviction and removal from office in impeachment cases. A two-thirds vote of the Senate is required for removal from office.
While the House and Senate are equal partners in the legislative process, each chamber has unique powers, creating a system of checks and balances within the legislature. For example, while the House initiates revenue-raising bills, the Senate can amend these bills through debate and filibuster, delaying a vote. A bill must pass both houses of Congress with the exact same wording before it goes to the President for consideration.
The separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches is further reinforced by the ability of each branch to check the others. For instance, Congress has the authority to confirm or reject many presidential appointments and Supreme Court nominations, while the President can veto legislation passed by Congress.
The US Vice President: A Crucial Supporting Role
You may want to see also
Elections and Term Lengths
The US Constitution establishes a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Elections
Congressional elections, which determine the representatives for each state in the federal government, occur every two years. During these elections, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for election, and a third of the Senate's 100 seats are contested.
The US Constitution leaves it to individual states to determine the "Times, Places and Manner" of holding elections for Senators and Representatives. However, Congress can make or alter these regulations, except for the places of choosing Senators.
Term Lengths
Representatives in the House serve two-year terms, and all seats are contested during midterm and presidential election years. Senators, on the other hand, serve six-year terms. To prevent all Senate seats from being up for election at once, their terms are staggered, with a third of the Senate elected every two years during midterm and presidential elections.
The US Constitution sets age, citizenship, and residency requirements for members of Congress. Representatives must be at least 25 years old, US citizens for at least seven years, and residents of the state they represent. Senators must be at least 30 years old, US citizens for nine years, and residents of the state they represent.
While the US Constitution sets term lengths for Congress members, state legislatures have the authority to establish term limits for their own members. These term limits vary across states and may apply to both chambers or specific leadership positions within the legislature. For example, the Arkansas General Assembly has a term limit of twelve consecutive years for both its House and Senate members. In contrast, the Illinois Senate limits its Senate presidents and minority leaders to a maximum of ten years in office.
Founding Assumptions of the US Constitution
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The legislature of the US government is called the United States Congress.
The US Congress consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The US Congress serves for two years.
The US Congress has 535 voting members, including 100 senators and 435 representatives. There are also 6 non-voting members in the House of Representatives.
