The US Congress

The United States of America (USA) is a country primarily located in North America. It is also known as the United States (US) or simply America. There are 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territories and nine minor outlying islands that make up the United States of America. It is the world’s fourth-largest country by land area and third-largest by total area, with nearly 3.8 million square miles. Land borders with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south, as well as maritime borders with the Bahamas, Cuba, and Russia, are shared by the United States. It is the world’s third most populous country, with over 331 million people. Washington, D.C., is the nation’s capital and the most populous city.

The United States is a three-branch federal presidential-constitutional republic with a bicameral legislature. It is a member of the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization of American States, NATO, and other international organizations as a founding member. It is a permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations.

Us Congress Overview

The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate form a bicameral legislature, with the latter serving as the upper house. Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Although vacancies in the Senate may be filled by the appointment of the governor, senators are elected by direct election. There are 100 senators and 435 representatives in the House of Representatives. The vice president of the United States has a vote in the Senate only when the number of senators is evenly split. No votes will be cast by six members of Congress.

Every other January, a new Congress convenes for a two-year tenure. Elections are conducted every even-numbered year on Election Day. The House of Representatives is composed of 435 elected members who serve two-year terms in the U.S. Congress.

In 1789, the United States Constitution established the Congress of the United States, which replaced the Congress of the Confederation as the legislative body of the country. Members of Congress, despite the fact that it is not required by law, have traditionally belonged to one of the two major political parties in this country: either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party; third parties or independents who are not affiliated with any political party are extremely rare. Lack of political party membership is not significant in the second scenario.

An entire legislative session can be thought of as a “session” of Congress. The 117th Congress, which began on January 3, 2021, and will expire on January 3, 2023, is now in session. Since the passage of the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution, Congress has convened and adjourned at 12 p.m. on the third day of January of every odd-numbered year. Members of the Senate are known as Senators, while members of Congress are known as Congressmen or Congresswomen.

Conclusion

Congress is in a state of flux all of the time. According to demographic changes recorded by the census, the American south and west have gained House seats in recent years, including more minorities and women, though both remain underrepresented. While the power balances among the various branches of government continue to shift, the internal structure of Congress, as well as its interactions with so-called intermediary institutions like political parties, civic associations, interest groups, and the media, are critical to comprehend.