What is Congress?

Congress is the bicameral legislature of the United States government. It consists of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both houses serve different functions but share the same goal to pass legislation. The U.S. Constitution created Congress and outlined its various powers. Congress is primarily tasked with writing and passing legislation and establishing the limits of federal power.

The Senate

The Senate is the upper chamber of Congress and is composed of 100 Senators (two from each state). The Senate has the responsibility to approve or reject presidential appointments and treaties negotiated with other countries. It is also responsible for confirming Supreme Court justices. The Senate has the unique power to try impeachments and a veto-proof two-thirds majority is required to pass certain legislation and approve certain constitutional amendments.

The House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of Congress and is currently composed of 435 Representatives (divided by population in each state). The House has the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills and have the sole power to impeach. This chamber is also responsible for representing the concerns of their constituents.

Conclusion

The U.S. Congress plays an essential role in our democracy in that it is responsible for writing and passing legislation as well as overseeing the executive branch. It is composed of two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives, that share different responsibilities but are unified in the goal to represent their constituents and the nation. To hold Congress accountable, the U.S. Constitution allows for the power of impeachment in the House and trial in the Senate for those accused of high crimes or misdemeanors.