Congress is the legislative branch of the United States federal government, responsible for making laws. It is a bicameral body, consisting of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Key Features of Congress:
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Senate:
- Comprises 100 members, with each state having two senators.
- Senators serve six-year terms.
- Responsibilities include approving presidential appointments, ratifying treaties, and conducting impeachment trials.
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House of Representatives:
- Composed of 435 members, with the number from each state based on its population.
- Representatives serve two-year terms.
- Initiates revenue bills and impeaches federal officials.
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Legislative Process:
- Bills can be introduced in either chamber.
- After passing through committees, they must be approved by both chambers before being sent to the president.
- The president can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action (in which case it may become law after ten days if Congress is in session).
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Checks and Balances:
- Congress plays a crucial role in the system of checks and balances, holding the executive branch accountable.
- It has the power to override presidential vetoes with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
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Major Committees:
- Committees are essential in managing the workload of Congress. Key committees include Appropriations, Budget, Foreign Relations (Senate), and Ways and Means (House).
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Bipartisan Nature:
- While the political composition of Congress can shift, cooperation between parties is often necessary to pass legislation.
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Constituent Services:
- Members of Congress also engage with their constituents, addressing their concerns and needs.
If you have specific questions or topics in mind about Congress, feel free to ask!