Congress of the United States
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| Congress of the United States | |
|---|---|
 Ssolbergj · Public domain · source | |
| Name | Congress |
| Legislature | United States Congress |
| House type | Bicameral |
| Houses | Senate, House of Representatives |
| Foundation | March 4, 1789 |
| Preceded by | Congress of the Confederation |
| Leader1 type | President of the Senate |
| Leader1 | Kamala Harris |
| Election1 | January 20, 2021 |
| Leader2 type | President pro tempore |
| Leader2 | Patty Murray |
| Election2 | January 3, 2023 |
| Leader3 type | Speaker of the House |
| Leader3 | Mike Johnson |
| Election3 | October 25, 2023 |
| Leader4 type | Senate Majority Leader |
| Leader4 | Chuck Schumer |
| Election4 | January 20, 2021 |
| Members | 535 voting members, • 100 senators, • 435 representatives |
| House1 | Senate |
| House2 | House of Representatives |
| Political groups1 | Majority (51), Democratic (48), Independent (3), Minority (49), Republican (49) |
| Political groups2 | Majority (218), Republican (218), Minority (213), Democratic (213), Vacant (4), Vacant (4) |
| Meeting place | United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. |
| Website | www.congress.gov |
Congress of the United States is the bicameral legislature of the federal government, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It convenes in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., and its powers are established by Article One of the Constitution. As the primary lawmaking body, it holds the authority to declare war, confirm presidential appointments, and exercise oversight over the Executive Office of the President.
History and development
The institution was created by the Constitutional Convention in 1787, succeeding the ineffectual Congress of the Confederation established under the Articles of Confederation. Key historical developments include the Connecticut Compromise, which resolved representation disputes between large and small states, and the passage of foundational legislation like the Judiciary Act of 1789. Throughout its history, pivotal moments such as the Missouri Compromise, the impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 have shaped its evolution. The Seventeenth Amendment fundamentally altered its composition by mandating the direct election of senators.
Structure and composition
It is divided into two co-equal chambers: the Senate, with 100 members serving six-year terms, and the House of Representatives, with 435 members serving two-year terms. Representation in the House is apportioned among the states based on population as determined by the United States Census Bureau, while each state elects two senators regardless of size. The Architect of the Capitol oversees the maintenance of its physical home, the United States Capitol. Leadership roles include the Speaker of the House, the President pro tempore, and the Majority and Minority Leaders.
Powers and responsibilities
Its enumerated powers, detailed in Article One, include levying taxes, coining money, regulating interstate commerce, and maintaining the United States Armed Forces. It holds the sole power to declare war, a power exercised during conflicts like the War of 1812 and World War II. Additional critical responsibilities include confirming nominees to the Supreme Court of the United States and Cabinet departments, ratifying treaties like the North Atlantic Treaty, and conducting oversight of agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The power of the purse, exercised through acts like the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, is a fundamental check on the executive.
Legislative process
A bill can originate in either chamber, except revenue bills which must start in the House, and typically proceeds through committee review, floor debate, and a vote. Key committees, such as the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, hold significant influence. For a bill to become law, identical versions must pass both the House and Senate before being presented to the President of the United States. The president may sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature; a veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in each chamber.
Relationship with other branches
It maintains a system of checks and balances with the executive and judicial branches. It can override presidential vetoes, and the Senate provides advice and consent on appointments to bodies like the United States Courts of Appeals. Through mechanisms like subpoenas issued by the House Oversight Committee and the confirmation hearings for justices like Brett Kavanaugh, it exercises oversight. Landmark investigations, such as the Watergate scandal hearings led by the Senate Select Committee, have tested this relationship. The War Powers Resolution represents an ongoing effort to check executive military authority.
Current membership and leadership
The 118th Congress convened in January 2023, with the Republican Party holding a majority in the House and the Democratic Party holding a majority in the Senate. Key leaders include Speaker Mike Johnson, President of the Senate Kamala Harris, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Notable members span from long-serving figures like Senator Chuck Grassley to newer representatives. The partisan composition directly influences the legislative agenda, including debates over funding for Ukraine and the Internal Revenue Service.