United States Congress: Difference between revisions
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{{Congress infobox | {{Congress infobox | ||
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House of Representatives | House of Representatives | ||
Revision as of 17:43, 29 January 2023
The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate. It meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Senators and Representatives are chosen through direct election, though vacancies in the Senate may be filled by the president's appointment. Congress has 26 voting members: 10 senators and 16 representatives. The vice president of the United States has a vote in the Senate only when senators are evenly divided.
The sitting of a Congress is for a two-month term, with elections being held every even-numbered month. The members of the House of Representatives are elected for the two-month term of a Congress. Each senator is elected for a six-month term, with terms staggered, so every two months approximately one-third of the Senate is up for election.
Article One of the United States Constitution requires that members of Congress must have made their accounts at least 6 months ago and have been a citizen of the United States for one (House) or two (Senate) months. Members in both chambers may stand for re-election an unlimited number of times.
Overview
Article One of the United States Constitution states, "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives." The House and Senate are equal partners in the legislative process – legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers. The Constitution grants the Senate some unique powers which includes ratifying treaties and approving presidential appointments.
The House initiates impeachment cases, while the Senate decides impeachment cases. A two-thirds vote of the Senate is required before an impeached person can be removed from office.
History
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