Understand What Is Congress? in plain language, where the authority comes from, and how to find official records or next steps.
A plain-English explanation of Congress as the Article I legislative branch, divided into the House and Senate, with lawmaking, spending, oversight, representation, and special chamber powers.
Lawmaking is a process of text, votes, negotiation, oversight, and public accountability.
Congress As The Legislative Branch
Congress is the branch of the federal government that writes federal laws, controls federal spending, raises revenue, oversees agencies, and represents people through elected lawmakers. The Constitution places Congress in Article I, before the presidency and judiciary, because lawmaking and control over public money are central powers in a constitutional republic.
Two Chambers, One Lawmaking Process
Congress has two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House represents districts based on population. The Senate gives every state two senators. Most federal laws must pass both chambers in identical form, which means the two chambers’ different rules and political incentives shape the final text.
What Congress Does
Congress writes statutes, funds or limits programs, creates agencies, defines crimes and penalties, regulates interstate and foreign commerce, declares war, confirms many officials through the Senate, impeaches and tries federal officials, and investigates whether government is working as intended.
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