In this article you will learn about The US Congress in Political Science.
The US Congress
The legislature of the USA is known as the Congress. The US Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government of the USA. It is the federal legislature of the USA. It is responsible for making laws and overseeing the operations of the government. Article I of the US Constitution states that, “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.” The US Congress is a bi-cameral legislature and is composed of two chambers : the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each chamber has its own set of powers and responsibilities.
House of Representatives : It is the lower, popular and directly elected House of the US Congress. It gives representation to the people of the US. It is the larger of the two chambers, with 435 voting members representing various congressional districts across the country. These 435 members are directly elected by the people (voters i.e. the adults above the age of 18 years old). Single member constituencies, secret ballot, direct election and a simple majority vote victory system are the features of the election system adopted for electing the members of the House of Representatives. Members of the House are elected every two years, and their numbers are apportioned based on the population of each state. The Speaker of the House, who is elected by the members of the House, is responsible for presiding over the chamber and managing its operations.
An American citizen of 25 years of age or above, with a 7 year residence in the USA, a residence of the constituency from which he is seeking election and not holding any office of profit under the government, can contest election to the House.
The House has several exclusive powers, including the power to initiate revenue bills, the power to impeach federal officials, and the power to elect the President in the event of a tie in the Electoral College. Additionally, the House has the power to initiate investigations and hold hearings on a wide range of issues.
Senate : The Senate, on the other hand, is the Upper House of the US Congress and is composed of 100 members, with each state having two Senators. Senators are elected to six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate up for election every two years. The Vice President of the United States serves as the President of the Senate, but can only vote in the event of a tie.
The Senate has several unique powers, including the power to approve presidential appointments and the power to ratify treaties with foreign countries. Additionally, the Senate has the power to conduct impeachment trials, with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presiding over the trial.
Both the House and the Senate must pass the same version of a bill in order for it to become law. Once a bill is passed by both chambers, it is sent to the President for signature. If the President signs the bill, it becomes law. If the President vetoes the bill, it can still become law if two-thirds of the House and two-thirds of the Senate vote to override the veto.
The Congress has a number of other powers and responsibilities, including the power to declare war, the power to regulate commerce between the states and with foreign countries, and the power to oversee the operations of the federal government. The Congress also has the power to impeach and remove the President and other federal officials for high crimes and misdemeanours.
In addition to its legislative responsibilities, the Congress also plays an important role in overseeing the operations of the federal government. Each chamber has a number of committees that are responsible for conducting investigations, holding hearings, and making recommendations on various issues. The committees are typically composed of members from both parties, and are responsible for overseeing specific areas of government operations.
Finally, the Congress plays an important role in shaping public policy. Members of Congress are responsible for representing the interests of their constituents, and often work to promote specific policy initiatives. Additionally, the Congress is responsible for providing funding for a wide range of programs and initiatives, and plays an important role in determining the priorities of the federal government.
In conclusion, the United States Congress is a vital institution within the federal government of the United States. With its two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Congress is responsible for making laws, overseeing the operations of the federal government, and shaping public policy. While the Congress can be contentious at times, it is an essential part of the American democratic system, and plays a critical role in ensuring that the government is responsive to the needs and concerns of the American people.
This article on The US Congress in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.