The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government. It is responsible for making laws, declaring war, approving treaties, and overseeing the executive branch. Congress is made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House of Representatives has 435 members, who are elected every two years. The number of representatives from each state is based on its population. The Speaker of the House is the leader of the House and is elected by the members of the House.
The Senate has 100 members, who are elected for six-year terms. Each state has two senators, regardless of its population. The Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate, but does not have a vote unless there is a tie. The Majority Leader of the Senate is the leader of the Senate and is elected by the members of the Senate.
Who Controls Congress
The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government. It is responsible for making laws, declaring war, approving treaties, and overseeing the executive branch.
- Elections every two years
- 435 members in the House
- 100 members in the Senate
- Six-year terms in the Senate
- Speaker of the House leads House
- Majority Leader leads Senate
The party that controls Congress can have a significant impact on the policies that are enacted. For example, a party that is in favor of more government spending is more likely to pass laws that increase spending, while a party that is in favor of less government spending is more likely to pass laws that decrease spending.
Elections every two years
The United States Constitution requires that elections for the House of Representatives be held every two years. This means that all 435 members of the House must stand for re-election every two years.
- Frequent elections:
The fact that House elections are held so frequently means that members of the House are constantly accountable to their constituents. This can make them more responsive to the needs of their constituents.
- Party control can change:
Because all House seats are up for election every two years, it is possible for the party that controls the House to change after an election. This happened in 2018, when the Democrats gained control of the House after eight years of Republican control.
- Impact on legislation:
The party that controls the House has a significant impact on the legislation that is passed. For example, when the Democrats controlled the House from 2009 to 2011, they were able to pass the Affordable Care Act, which expanded health insurance coverage to millions of Americans.
- Voters' influence:
The fact that House elections are held so frequently gives voters a chance to express their views on the direction of the country. If voters are unhappy with the party that controls the House, they can vote for candidates from the other party in the next election.
The frequent elections for the House of Representatives are an important part of the American system of government. They help to ensure that the House is responsive to the needs of the people and that the party that controls the House can be held accountable for its actions.
435 members in the House
The United States Constitution sets the number of members in the House of Representatives at 435. This number has been in place since 1913, although the number of members has changed over time as the population of the country has grown.
- Representation by population:
The number of representatives from each state is based on its population. This means that states with larger populations have more representatives in the House than states with smaller populations. For example, California has 53 representatives in the House, while Wyoming has only one.
- Fixed number of members:
The number of members in the House is fixed at 435. This means that when a new state is added to the Union, the number of representatives from the other states must decrease in order to keep the total number of members at 435. For example, when Alaska and Hawaii became states in 1959, the number of representatives from the other states was reduced from 437 to 435.
- Impact on legislation:
The number of members in the House can have a significant impact on the legislation that is passed. For example, a bill that is supported by a majority of the members of the House is more likely to pass than a bill that is opposed by a majority of the members. This is because a majority vote is required to pass a bill in the House.
- Gerrymandering:
The way that the districts for the House of Representatives are drawn can also have a significant impact on the party that controls the House. Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing district lines in a way that gives one party an unfair advantage. For example, a party that controls the state legislature can draw the district lines in a way that creates more districts where their party is likely to win.
The number of members in the House of Representatives is an important factor in determining who controls Congress. The party that wins the most seats in the House is the party that will control the House and will be able to set the legislative agenda.
100 members in the Senate
The United States Senate has 100 members, with each state having two senators. This means that the Senate is not directly representative of the population, as states with smaller populations have the same number of senators as states with larger populations. For example, California, the most populous state, and Wyoming, the least populous state, each have two senators.
Senators are elected for six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate seats up for election every two years. This means that the Senate is a more stable body than the House of Representatives, where all members are up for election every two years.
The stability of the Senate can make it more difficult to pass legislation, as it is more difficult to get a majority of senators to agree on a bill. However, the Senate can also be more effective at passing bipartisan legislation, as it is less likely to be swayed by short-term political considerations.
The party that controls the Senate has a significant impact on the policies that are enacted. For example, when the Republicans controlled the Senate from 2015 to 2021, they were able to block many of President Obama's legislative initiatives. When the Democrats gained control of the Senate in 2021, they were able to pass President Biden's Build Back Better Act, which was a major investment in social programs and climate change.
The fact that the Senate has 100 members and that senators are elected for six-year terms makes it a more stable body than the House of Representatives. This can make it more difficult to pass legislation, but it can also make it more effective at passing bipartisan legislation.
Six-year terms in the Senate
Senators are elected for six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate seats up for election every two years. This means that the Senate is a more stable body than the House of Representatives, where all members are up for election every two years.
The six-year terms of senators give them more time to learn about the issues and to build relationships with their colleagues. This can make them more effective at passing legislation and overseeing the executive branch.
The stability of the Senate can also make it more difficult to pass legislation, as it is more difficult to get a majority of senators to agree on a bill. However, the Senate can also be more effective at passing bipartisan legislation, as it is less likely to be swayed by short-term political considerations.
The six-year terms of senators also help to insulate them from the ups and downs of the political cycle. This means that they are more likely to be able to take a long-term view of the issues and to make decisions that are in the best interests of the country, rather than the interests of their party or their own re-election.
The six-year terms of senators are an important part of the American system of government. They help to ensure that the Senate is a stable and independent body that is able to make decisions that are in the best interests of the country.
Speaker of the House leads House
The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives and the highest-ranking member of the House. The Speaker is elected by the members of the House at the beginning of each new Congress. The Speaker is responsible for overseeing the legislative process in the House and for maintaining order and decorum during House debates.
The Speaker has a number of important powers and responsibilities. These include:
- Presiding over House debates: The Speaker presides over all debates in the House and ensures that the rules of the House are followed.
- Recognizing members to speak: The Speaker decides which members are allowed to speak during debates and in committee hearings.
- Appointing members to committees: The Speaker appoints members to the various committees of the House.
- Scheduling legislation for votes: The Speaker decides when legislation will be brought to a vote on the House floor.
- Interpreting the rules of the House: The Speaker is responsible for interpreting the rules of the House and making rulings on points of order.
The Speaker of the House is a powerful position and the person who holds this position can have a significant impact on the legislative process. For example, the Speaker can use their power to schedule legislation for votes in a way that benefits their party or their own agenda.
The Speaker of the House is an important figure in the American political system. The person who holds this position plays a key role in shaping the legislative agenda and in ensuring that the House of Representatives functions smoothly.
Majority Leader leads Senate
The Majority Leader is the leader of the majority party in the United States Senate. The Majority Leader is elected by the members of the majority party at the beginning of each new Congress. The Majority Leader is responsible for managing the Senate's legislative agenda and for ensuring that the Senate functions smoothly.
The Majority Leader has a number of important powers and responsibilities. These include:
- Scheduling legislation for votes: The Majority Leader decides when legislation will be brought to a vote on the Senate floor.
- Assigning bills to committees: The Majority Leader assigns bills to the various committees of the Senate.
- Negotiating with the Minority Leader: The Majority Leader negotiates with the Minority Leader to reach agreements on how the Senate will operate.
- Counting votes: The Majority Leader is responsible for counting the votes on legislation and for announcing the results.
- Representing the Senate: The Majority Leader represents the Senate in negotiations with the House of Representatives and with the President.
The Majority Leader is a powerful position and the person who holds this position can have a significant impact on the legislative process. For example, the Majority Leader can use their power to schedule legislation for votes in a way that benefits their party or their own agenda.
The Majority Leader is an important figure in the American political system. The person who holds this position plays a key role in shaping the legislative agenda and in ensuring that the Senate functions smoothly.