The US Congress is the legislative branch of the Federal government. It is one of the three branches of the United States government that can create, amend, or repeal laws. The US Congress is a bicameral legislature that consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. In this article, we’ll discuss the structure and functions of the US Congress.
Structure of the US Congress
The US Congress is composed of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the US Congress. It is composed of 435 elected members who serve two-year terms. Representation in the House of Representatives is based on the population of each state. When the U.S. population increases, so does the number of Representatives. The House of Representatives has the power to impeach a President.
Senate
The Senate is the upper chamber of the US Congress. Each state is represented by two elected Senators who serve six-year terms. The Vice President is the President of the Senate, although he/she only votes in the event of a tie. The Senate has the power to confirm presidential appointments and ratify treaties.
Functions of the US Congress
The main function of the US Congress is to create, amend, and repeal laws. The US Congress also has the power to impose taxes, declare war, regulate commerce and currency, oversee the executive and judicial branches, and create lower federal courts.
Legislative Process
The US Congress uses a legislative process to create new laws. The process involves three stages: introduction of a bill, consideration of the bill, and passage of the bill into law.
Introduction of a Bill
The first step in the legislative process is the introduction of a bill. Any member of the House of Representatives or the Senate can introduce a bill, and it must be written in accordance to the rules of each chamber. Once a bill is properly introduced, it is referred to the relevant committee of either chamber.
Consideration of the Bill
Once referred to a committee, the bill is read, discussed, and amended if necessary. If approved, the committee will report the bill to the full chamber for consideration. During this stage, the bill can be debated, amended, and voted upon.
Passage of the Bill into Law
If the bill passes in one chamber of the US Congress, it is sent to the other chamber where it goes through the same process. Once approved by both chambers, the bill is forwarded to the President who can sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without his/her signature.
The US Congress is the legislative branch of the Federal government and consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The main function of the US Congress is to create, amend, and repeal laws. The US Congress also has the power to impose taxes, declare war, regulate commerce and currency, oversee the executive and judicial branches, and create lower federal courts. A bill goes through a legislative process to become a law, which involves three stages: introduction of a bill, consideration of the bill, and passage of the bill into law.