United States Congress

The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government. It is a bicameral legislature, which means it consists of two separate bodies. These bodies are the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

Together, they hold the power to make laws for the nation. They meet at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. No law can be enacted without the consent of both the House and the Senate. This structure creates a system of checks and balances within the legislature itself.

The House of Representatives and the Senate have different roles and structures. The House is the lower body and contains 435 voting members. The number of representatives each state receives is determined by its population. This is decided every ten years using the results of the U.S. census.

The House also includes six additional non-voting members. The Senate is the upper body and has 100 members. Each of the 50 states has exactly two senators, regardless of its size or population. This ensures that smaller states have equal representation in the Senate.

Specific rules govern how these members are chosen and how long they serve. Members of the House are elected for two-year terms. The Reapportionment Act of 1929 set the number of representatives at 435. These members are elected from single-member districts.

Senators serve longer, six-year terms. These terms are staggered so that about one-third of the Senate is up for election every two years. This staggering helps maintain stability in the upper house. Most members are chosen through direct election by the people.

The Constitution sets clear requirements for anyone wishing to serve in Congress. To be a representative, a person must be at least 25 years old. They must have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years. They must also live in the state they represent.

To be a senator, the requirements are higher. A senator must be at least 30 years old. They must have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years. Like representatives, they must be inhabitants of the state they serve. There is no limit on how many times a member can run for office.

Congress has a long and complex history that began in 1789. It replaced the Congress of the Confederation, which was a much weaker system. The old system lacked the power to collect taxes or enforce laws.

To solve this, the Constitution created a bicameral system through a compromise. The Connecticut Compromise balanced the interests of large and small states. This led to the current structure of population-based House seats and equal Senate seats. Since the late 19th century, most members have belonged to the Democratic or Republican parties.

Throughout different eras, the power and focus of Congress have shifted. During the Gilded Age, lobbying activity became very intense. In the early 20th century, the Seventeenth Amendment changed how senators were chosen. It allowed for the direct popular election of senators by the people.

In the 1930s, the Great Depression led to a shift in power. Many new policies were initiated by President Franklin Roosevelt's administration. While the executive branch gained influence, Congress remains a central part of the government. It continues to be a place where political parties and interest groups interact.

Congress also holds unique powers that distinguish the two chambers. The Senate has the authority to ratify treaties and approve presidential appointments. The House of Representatives has the power to initiate bills regarding revenue and taxes.

The House also has the power to initiate impeachment proceedings. The Senate then holds the trial to decide on conviction and removal from office. A two-thirds vote in the Senate is required to remove an impeached official. These specific duties ensure that both bodies contribute to the governance of the country.

Beyond making laws, Congress interacts with many other parts of American life. It holds legislative authority over the District of Columbia. Under the Home Rule Act, Congress can review and disapprove local laws in the capital.

The institution is also shaped by demographic changes in the country. As populations shift, the number of seats in the House moves to different regions. This makes Congress a dynamic and constantly changing body. It remains a core component of the American democratic system.