Omar Bennett
The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government and is made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is often referred to as a rapidly changing body, while the Senate provides stability and continuity. The Senate is the upper house, with the House of Representatives being the lower house. Together, the Senate and House have the authority to pass or defeat federal legislation, and they provide a check and balance on the powers of the executive and judicial branches of government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Members | 535 voting members, including 100 senators and 435 representatives, plus 6 non-voting members |
| Term Length | Two years, commencing every other January |
| Election Frequency | Elections are held every even-numbered year |
| Legislative Power | Can make and pass federal laws, establish an annual budget, levy taxes, and declare war |
| Investigative Power | Can investigate and oversee the executive branch |
| Appointment Power | Can confirm presidential appointments, including members of the Cabinet and federal judges |
| Treaty Power | Can approve or reject treaties |
| Impeachment Power | Can try impeachment cases referred by the House |
| Committee Structure | Includes standing committees with the power to hold hearings, subpoena witnesses, and control the legislative agenda |
| Representation | Based on population, with each state having two senators and a number of representatives proportional to its population |
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What You'll Learn
The US House of Representatives
The House of Representatives plays a crucial role in the US government's legislative process. Representatives introduce and vote on bills, serve on committees, and represent their constituents' interests. They also have the power to initiate impeachment cases against the President, which the Senate then convicts or exonerates. Representatives are elected every two years and are chosen through direct elections. Each representative serves a specific congressional district and is responsible for introducing bills and serving on committees, among other duties.
The House leadership includes the speaker, majority and minority leaders, assistant leaders, whips, and a party caucus or conference. The speaker, elected by the entire House, combines several institutional and administrative roles and acts as the leader of the House. Majority and minority leaders represent their respective parties on the House floor, while whips assist in managing their party's legislative programme.
The House of Representatives, along with the Senate, has the authority to pass or defeat federal legislation. They also have exclusive powers, such as the power to declare war, raise and maintain armed forces, and make rules for the military. Additionally, Congress has authority over financial and budgetary policy and the power to appropriate funds, providing a check and balance on the executive and judicial branches.
The House of Representatives is a dynamic body, constantly changing to reflect the diverse interests and viewpoints of the American people. It is a fundamental component of the US democratic process, ensuring that the government represents the people and addresses their needs.
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The Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, with the U.S. House of Representatives being the lower house. The Senate has 100 members, with each of the 50 states being represented by two senators who serve staggered six-year terms. Senators are elected through a statewide popular vote, although vacancies can be filled by a governor's appointment.
The structure of the Senate, with each state having equal representation, is designed to foster inclusivity and ensure that diverse regional interests are considered in the legislative process. This provides a balance to the House of Representatives, where representation is based on population. The Senate's powers and composition have been in continuous effect since March 4, 1789, providing stability and continuity to the legislative process.
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Congress's role in national defence
The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. It is a bicameral legislature, including a lower body, the U.S. House of Representatives, and an upper body, the U.S. Senate. The House of Representatives makes and passes federal laws and is one of Congress's two chambers. The number of voting representatives in the House is fixed by law at no more than 435, proportionally representing the population of the 50 states.
Congress has an important role in national defence. It has the exclusive power to declare war, to raise and maintain the armed forces, and to make rules for the military. Congress has the authority to provide for the common defence and lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises to pay debts. It also has vast authority over budgets and the exclusive power to appropriate funds, which is one of Congress's primary checks on the executive branch.
Congress passes a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) every year, setting policy and funding priorities for the military for the following year. Congress determines the actual policy and funding goals, and even if the president vetoes the NDAA, Congress can override the veto. Congress also has the power to establish post offices and post roads, issue patents and copyrights, fix standards of weights and measures, establish Courts inferior to the Supreme Court, and make all laws necessary for executing the foregoing powers.
Congress has an oversight role in national security, providing thoughtfulness and striving to make the best policy decisions with as many resources and data as possible. Congress's role in national security has changed since 9/11, and security officials have learned the importance of preparing for potential armed conflicts, no matter how unlikely. Congress will focus on maintaining the U.S. armed forces' competitive edge over near-peer adversaries and being better prepared for cyberwarfare.
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The legislative branch
The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. It is a bicameral legislature, including a lower body, the U.S. House of Representatives, and an upper body, the U.S. Senate. It meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Members of Congress are chosen through direct election, though vacancies in the Senate may be filled by a governor's appointment. Congress has a total of 535 voting members, a figure that includes 100 senators and 435 representatives. The House of Representatives has 6 additional non-voting members.
The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. The presiding officer of the chamber is the Speaker of the House, elected by the Representatives. Representatives carry out a broad scope of work, including voting on bills, speaking with constituents, and reviewing constituent mail, press clips, and various reports. Representatives also introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees.
The Senate is the upper house of Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower house. The Senate has the sole power to confirm the President's appointments that require consent and to ratify treaties, with the exception of appointments to the Vice Presidency and treaties involving foreign trade, which must also be approved by the House. The Senate also tries impeachment cases for federal officials referred to it by the House. Each of the 50 states is represented by two senators who serve staggered six-year terms, for a total of 100 members.
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The Senate's structure
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, with the U.S. House of Representatives being the lower house. The Senate consists of 100 members, two from each state, serving staggered six-year terms. This structure ensures equal representation for all states, contrasting with the population-based allocation in the House of Representatives. For instance, a populous state like Texas has the same Senate representation as smaller states, but its delegation in the House of Representatives is several times larger than those of many smaller states.
The characteristics of the Senate, including the basis of representation, the number of senators per state, the qualifications for office, the terms of service, and the powers that the body exercises, were the product of fierce debate and a number of compromises at the Constitutional Convention. The framers of the Constitution agreed to create the House with representation based on population and the Senate with equal representation, in what is known as The Great Compromise. The Senate's structure has been described as "non-democratic" by some, as it gives voters from small states disproportionate influence and allows them to benefit from disproportionate amounts of federal funding when compared to voters from larger states. However, others argue that this structure is integral to the federal system, ensuring that smaller states have a voice in the democratic process and fostering a more inclusive and representative democracy.
The Senate has several powers and functions, including the authority to pass or defeat federal legislation, confirm presidential appointments, approve or reject treaties, and convict or exonerate impeachment cases brought by the House. The Senate also has standing committees that oversee the departments and agencies of the executive branch, with the power to hold hearings, subpoena witnesses and evidence, and manage the legislative agenda. The Senate, along with the House, provides a check and balance on the powers of the executive and judicial branches of government.
The Senate has changed significantly over its history, but its unique role in the federal government remains anchored in the nation's founding document. The plan for the Senate was developed by delegates working in committees at the Constitutional Convention, and the language for the final version of the Constitution was proposed by a Committee on Style and Arrangement.
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Frequently asked questions
The United States Congress is a bicameral legislature, including a lower body, the U.S. House of Representatives, and an upper body, the U.S. Senate. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. The Senate consists of 100 members, with each of the 50 states being represented by two senators who serve staggered six-year terms.
The House of Representatives is responsible for introducing and passing federal laws, as well as serving on committees, offering amendments, and reviewing constituent mail, press clips, and various reports.
The Senate has the power to confirm presidential appointments, approve or reject treaties, and convict or exonerate impeachment cases brought by the House. They also work with the House of Representatives to pass federal legislation.
Elections for members of Congress are held every two years, with members of the House of Representatives serving two-year terms.
