The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature with two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House, with 435 members, initiates tax-related bills and oversees the executive, while the Senate, with 100 members, confirms appointments and ratifies treaties. Both play roles in impeachment, and House members, who have no term limits, face frequent elections and receive an annual salary of $174,000.
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The House of Representatives is responsible for introducing and passing federal legislation, conducting oversight of the executive branch, and is designed to be responsive to the public's needs and opinions
The Senate serves longer terms and has unique powers such as confirming presidential appointments, ratifying treaties, and conducting impeachment trials
The dual-chamber system combines the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan to balance power between states and require agreement between chambers for legislation to become law
The Speaker of the House presides over sessions, appoints committee members, and guides the legislative agenda
The Majority and Minority Leaders coordinate party strategy and maintain party discipline during votes
The House Rules Committee determines rules for debate and the amendment process for bills, making it one of the most influential committees in the House
The House holds the power to impeach federal officials, while the Senate conducts the trial and determines whether to convict and remove them from office
Members of the House do not have term limits, which can lead to experienced legislators but also raises concerns about entrenchment and lack of new ideas
Campaigning for a seat in the House can be intensive and expensive, with incumbents having advantages in elections due to name recognition and access to funding
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What is the composition of the U.S. Congress?
U.S. Congress consists of two chambers: House of Representatives (435 members) and Senate (100 senators).
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What is the Connecticut Compromise?
The Connecticut Compromise was an agreement during the 1787 Constitutional Convention merging the Virginia Plan's population-based representation with the New Jersey Plan's equal representation.
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How are members of the House of Representatives chosen?
Members of the House are elected to represent districts based on population, with populous states having more representatives.
