Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government that represents the American people and makes the nation's laws. It shares power with the executive branch, led by the president, and the judicial branch, whose highest body is the Supreme Court of the United States. … Congress has the power to: Make laws.
What is Congress made up of?
Established by Article I of the Constitution, the Legislative Branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress.
Whats the difference between Congress and Senate?
Senators represent their entire states, but members of the House represent individual districts. The number of districts in each state is determined by a state's population. … Today, Congress consists of 100 senators (two from each state) and 435 voting members of the House of Representatives.
Is Congress and government same?
The legislative branch of the federal government.
Congress is the legislative arm of our government
and its job is to make laws. Congress is made up of two houses: the Senate (upper) and the House of Representatives (lower). Each state has two senators in the Senate.
What body of government is Congress?
The legislative branch
is made up of the House and Senate, known collectively as the Congress. Among other powers, the legislative branch makes all laws, declares war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce and controls taxing and spending policies.
Why is it called Congress?
Congresses are formal meetings of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of adversaries) during battle, from the Latin congressus.
How is US Congress elected?
Members of Congress in both houses are elected by direct popular vote. Senators are elected via a statewide vote and representatives by voters in each congressional district. … Each of the 435 members of the House of Representatives is elected to serve a two-year term representing the people of their district.
Which branch is the weakest?
In Federalist No. 78, Hamilton said that
the Judiciary branch
of the proposed government would be the weakest of the three branches because it had “no influence over either the sword or the purse, …
What are the 2 houses of Congress?
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. to the President.
What is called federalism?
Federalism is
a system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government
. … Both the national government and the smaller political subdivisions have the power to make laws and both have a certain level of autonomy from each other.
What are the 3 main responsibilities of the federal government?
Only the federal government can regulate interstate and foreign commerce, declare war and set taxing, spending and other national policies.
How does government operate?
Legislative—
Makes laws
(Congress, comprised of the House of Representatives and Senate) Executive—Carries out laws (president, vice president, Cabinet, most federal agencies) Judicial—Evaluates laws (Supreme Court and other courts)
What federal government means?
A federal country or system of government is one in which the different states or provinces of the country have important powers to make their own laws and decisions. … Federal also means
belonging or relating to the national government of a federal country rather
than to one of the states within it.
Which branch of government is most powerful?
In conclusion,
The Legislative Branch
is the most powerful branch of the United States government not only because of the powers given to them by the Constitution, but also the implied powers that Congress has. There is also Congress's ability to triumph over the Checks and balances that limits their power.
What are 3 specific powers of Congress?
- Make laws.
- Declare war.
- Raise and provide public money and oversee its proper expenditure.
- Impeach and try federal officers.
- Approve presidential appointments.
- Approve treaties negotiated by the executive branch.
- Oversight and investigations.
What is the lower house of Congress?
The House of Representatives is referred to as the lower house of the United States Congress, because it has more Members than the Senate.
