What exactly is Congress and how does it impact me?

Overall, the U.S. Congress plays a crucial role in shaping national policy, enacting laws, and providing a forum for debate on important issues. Of the 3 branches of Government, this is the Legislative Branch. The Legislative branch is where laws originate before the go to the President to be sign (or not) and enacted as law.

• Congress is made up of two houses:

  • Senate:

    • Consists of 100 members, with each state having two Senators regardless of its population,

    • serve six-year, staggered terms; and

    • has specific powers, such as confirming presidential appointments and ratifying treaties.

  • House of Representatives:

    • Consists of 435 members, with the number from each state based on its population, (based on the census!)

    • serve two-year terms,

    • has the exclusive power to initiate budget bills; and

    • has the authority to impeach federal officials.

• Representation:

  • Members of Congress represent the interests of their constituents from their respective districts or states; and

  • they advocate for policies and legislation that reflect the needs and preferences of their voters.

• Constitutional Role:

  • Congress is established by Article I of the U.S. Constitution. It is designed to be the primary law-making body in the federal government and operates as part of the system of checks and balances intended to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

    • Congress exercises oversight over the executive branch, ensuring that laws are implemented as intended and that federal agencies operate properly,

    • it has the power to approve or reject presidential appointments, such as Supreme Court justices and cabinet members; and

    • can impeach and remove federal officials, including the President, for misconduct.

•  Legislative Process:

  • Introduction of Bills: Members of Congress can introduce bills (proposed laws). These bills can be introduced in either chamber.

  • Committee Review: Bills are referred to committees within each chamber, where they are studied, debated, and amended.

  • Debate and Voting: Bills that pass committee review are debated on the floor of the chamber where they were introduced.

  • Members vote on the bills, and if passed, they move to the other chamber for consideration.

  • Conference Committee: If both chambers pass different versions of a bill, a conference committee may be formed to reconcile the differences.

  • Presidential Approval: Once both chambers agree on a final version of a bill, it is sent to the President for approval or veto.