Identify the structure of Congress
The structure of the United States Congress is composed of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
1. House of Representatives:
- Composed of 435 members, each representing a congressional district based on population.
- The number of representatives per state is determined by the decennial census.
- Elected every two years.
- The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer, elected by the majority party.
2. Senate:
- Composed of 100 senators, with two from each state, regardless of population.
- Senators serve six-year terms, with one-third of the seats up for election every two years.
- The Vice President of the United States serves as the President of the Senate.
- The President pro tempore, typically the most senior senator of the majority party, presides in the Vice President's absence.
Both chambers of Congress have specific powers and responsibilities:
- Introducing and drafting legislation.
- Voting on bills to pass them into law.
- Conducting hearings and investigations.
- Exercising oversight over the executive branch.
- Approving presidential nominations, treaties, and budgetary matters.
- Representing the interests of their constituencies.
The structure of the United States Congress is divided into two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
1. Senate: The Senate is the upper chamber of Congress, consisting of 100 Senators. Each state is represented by two Senators, regardless of its population. Senators serve six-year terms, with one-third of the seats up for election every two years. The Vice President of the United States serves as the President of the Senate, but can only vote in case of a tie.
2. House of Representatives: The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of Congress, consisting of 435 Representatives. The number of Representatives each state receives is determined by its population, with each state having at least one Representative. The Representatives serve two-year terms, and all seats are up for election every two years. The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer.
Both chambers have different roles and responsibilities. The House of Representatives has the power to initiate revenue-generating bills, while the Senate plays a significant role in confirming presidential appointments, such as Supreme Court justices and cabinet members. Both chambers must pass a bill before it can become law, and in case of a disagreement, a conference committee is formed to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Once a bill passes both chambers, it goes to the President for approval or veto.