Introduction:
Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government that represents the American people and makes
the nation's laws. US congress is bicameral legislature i. e two houses “the house of representatives” and
”senate”. Of the three branches of government, Congress is the only one elected directly by the people.
House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives, is the lower house of the U.S. Congress. Each state receives
representation in the House in proportion to its population but is entitled to at least one representative.
The total number of voting representatives is currently fixed at 435. House representatives serve two-
year terms.
Qualification of a representative:
Be at least 25 years old
Be a U.S. citizen for at least seven years
Be a resident of the state he or she represents
Powers of Senate:
1. Revenue Bills: must originate in the House of Representatives.
Although this power is still honoured today, it tends to have blurred
over the years. Often budget bills are considered simultaneously in
both houses.
2. Impeachment power: the authority to charge the President and
other “civil officers” with wrongdoing, is given to the House. A simple
majority vote can impeach an elected official.
Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the U.S. Congress. Each U.S. state is represented by two
senators, regardless of population. This ensures equal representation of each state in the Senate.
U.S. senators serve staggered six-year terms.
Qualification of a senetor:
Be at least 30 years old
Be a U.S. citizen for at least nine years
Be a resident of the state he or she represents
Powers of senate
1. Treaties with other nations entered into by the President must be approved by a two-thirds vote by the
Senate. This provision is an illustration of checks and balances, and it has served as a very important
restriction to the foreign policy powers of the President.
2. An Impeachment Trials occurs in the Senate. If the House of Representatives votes to impeach an
elected official, the accused party gets a hearing in the Senate. A two-thirds majority can convict the
individual and remove him or her from office.
Powers of congress
Some powers of congress as stated in article 1 sec 8 of constitution are:
1. Power to tax and spend for the general welfare and the common defense.
2. Power to borrow money and power to coin money.
3. To regulate commerce with states, other nations, and Native American tribes.
4. Power to establish post offices and roads
5. Power to regulate patents and copyrights
6. Power to establish piracy laws of the sea
7. To declare war
8. Power to raise and support Army and power to maintain the Navy
9. Power to call a militia and Power of regulating a militia
10. Authority to create laws that are necessary and proper to carry out the laws of the land
(Necessary and Proper Clause)
