US Congress

Type

Legislative branch of the federal government

Structure

Bicameral legislature

Lower Body

U.S. House of Representatives

Upper Body

U.S. Senate

Meeting Location

United States Capitol, Washington, D.C., United States

Primary Function

Makes federal laws

House Term Length

2 years

Senate Term Length

6 years

Total Voting Members

535 (100 Senators, 435 Representatives)

House Age Requirement

25 years old

Senate Age Requirement

30 years old

House Non-Voting Members

6

Presiding Officer (Senate)

Vice President of the United States (as President of the Senate, with tie-breaking vote)

Common Political Affiliations

Democratic Party, Republican Party

House Citizenship Requirement

7 years

Senate Citizenship Requirement

9 years

1789

The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. It is a bicameral legislature, including a lower body, the U.S. House of Representatives, and an upper body, the U.S. Senate. They both meet in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. [...] Congress was created by the U.S. Constitution and first met in 1789, replacing the Congress of the Confederation in its legislative function. Although not legally mandated, in practice members of Congress since the late 18th century are typically affiliated with one of the two major parties, the Democratic Party "Democratic Party (United States)") or the Republican Party "Republican Party (United States)"), and only rarely with a third party or independents "Independent (politician)") [...] Members of Congress are chosen through direct election, though vacancies in the Senate may be filled by a governor "Governor (United States)")'s appointment. Congress has a total of 535 voting members, a figure which includes 100 senators and 435 representatives; the House of Representatives has 6 additional non-voting members. The vice president of the United States, as President of the Senate, has a vote in the Senate only when there is a tie.

There are a total of 535 Members of Congress. 100 serve in the U.S. Senate and 435 serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. How long do members of Congress’ terms last? Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are considered for reelection every even year. Senators however, serve six-year terms and elections to the Senate are staggered over even years so that only about 1/3 of the Senate is up for reelection during any election. [...] Members of Congress represent the people of their district in the United States Congress by holding hearings, as well as developing and voting on legislation. All bills must pass Congress before they can go to the President to be signed into law. [...] In the House of Representatives, the majority party holds significant power to draft chamber rules and schedule bills to reach the floor for debate and voting. In most cases, House rules will limit debate so that important legislation can be passed during one legislative business day.

With each state represented by two senators, a total of 100 members serve in the U.S. Senate. The U.S. territories and the District of Columbia are not represented in the Senate. You can find your two senators here. [...] In order to be elected to the U.S. Senate a person must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States for nine years or more, and a resident of the state that they represent. Senators are elected for six-year terms, and every two years 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election. Learn more about the U.S. Senate. Image 18 Making Laws Image 19 One Branch, Two Bodies Image 20: U.S. House of Representatives chambers The U.S. House of Representatives [...] To be elected to the House of Representatives, a person must be at least 25 years old, a citizen of the United States for seven years or more, and a resident of the state that they represent. Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms. Learn more about the House of Representatives. About the U.S. Senate

Intermediate Level Legislative Branch H www.uscis.gov/citizenship 1 The Legislative Branch The legislative branch of the U.S. government is called Congress. Congress has two parts, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress meets in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, DC. Congress makes federal laws. Members of Congress can propose an idea for a new law. This is called a bill. After both the Senate and the House of Representatives pass the bill, it goes The Capitol Building to [...] 1. Name one branch or part of the government. 2. Who makes federal laws? 3. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? 2 Intermediate Level Legislative Branch H www.uscis.gov/citizenship The U.S. Senate The Senators of the 109th Congress. Courtesy of the U.S. Senate Photo Studio. [...] Who is in each part of the U.S. Congress? U.S. Senate 100 members Two members from each state U.S. House of Representatives 435 voting members Number of members depends on state’s population Answer these Civics Test questions.