Congress of the United States

The Congress of the United States is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. It is bicameral, comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives consists of 435 members, each of whom represents a congressional district and serves for a two-year term. House seats are apportioned among the states by population; in contrast, each state has two Senators, regardless of population. There are a total of 100 senators, who serve six-year terms. Both representatives and senators are directly elected by the people, but in some states the governor may appoint a temporary replacement when a Senate seat is vacant.

Related Topics:
Legislative branch - Federal government - United States - Bicameral - House of Representatives - Senate - Congressional district - Apportioned - States - Population

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The United States Constitution vests all legislative powers of the federal government in the Congress. The powers of Congress are limited to those enumerated in the Constitution; all other powers are reserved to the states and the people. The enumerated powers of Congress include the authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, to levy taxes, to establish federal courts inferior to the Supreme Court, to maintain the armed forces, and to declare war. The Constitution also includes the necessary-and-proper clause, which grants Congress the power to "make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers." The general purposes expressed in the Preamble have also been interpreted as authorizing Acts of Congress.

Related Topics:
United States Constitution - People - Interstate - Foreign commerce - Tax - Federal courts - Supreme Court - Armed forces - Declare war - Necessary-and-proper clause - Preamble

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The Senate is fully equal to the House of Representatives, and is not a "chamber of review," as is the case with the upper houses of the bicameral legislatures of many other nations. However, there are some special powers granted to one chamber only; the Senate alone gives its advice and consent in confirming or rejecting the president's appointments (to federal executive and judicial positions) and ratifing treaties, while revenue raising bills must originate in the House.

Related Topics:
Legislature - Advice and consent - Executive - Judicial - Treaties

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Both chambers meet in the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Related Topics:
Capitol - Washington, D.C.

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