For those who only vaguely remember School House Rock, the U.S. government has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Today, we’re focusing on the legislative branch.
The legislative branch, also known as Congress, has two chambers: the Senate (the “upper chamber”) and the House of Representatives (the “lower chamber”).
The Senate has 100 members—two per state—giving each state equal say, regardless of size. The House has 435 representatives, which are divvied up based on each state’s population every 10 years following a census (more people = more representation). Senators represent entire states, while House members represent smaller districts, theoretically making the House more closely tuned to local concerns and current public opinion.
What is the primary responsibility of the legislative branch?
To pass laws.
The House and Senate must work together to draft, debate, and pass laws on everything from healthcare to highways.
But that’s not all it does.
Congress controls the “power of the purse”––approving the federal budget and (ideally) making sure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly––and has the sole authority to declare war. Congress keeps the other branches in check through hearings, investigations, and, if necessary, impeachments. The Senate confirms presidential appointments like cabinet positions and federal judges, including Supreme Court justices.
How does a bill become a law?
The bill-to-law journey starts when a bill is introduced in either the Senate or the House. Committees review and amend it before the entire chamber votes yay or nay. If a bill passes one chamber, it moves to the other for another round of approval.
Once both chambers give a bill the green light, it’s sent to the president, who can sign it into law or veto it. But Congress has the final word––if they muster a two-thirds majority in both chambers, they can override a veto and make a bill a law.
FAQs
Why does the U.S. have a two-chamber Congress?
The founders set up a two-chamber Congress (known by politicos as a “bicameral” Congress) to balance interests. It seeks to give each American roughly equal representation in the House––giving bigger states a greater say––while making sure smaller states aren’t overlooked or always outvoted in the Senate.
How long do members of Congress serve?
Senators serve six-year terms with ⅓ of seats up for reelection every two years, while Representatives in the House serve two-year terms. This difference means the House––which must draft all tax bills––is more frequently up for reelection and (hopefully) better reflects current public opinion, while the Senate––which is responsible for foreign treaties––can take a longer-term perspective and offer more stability.
What is Congress’s role in foreign policy?
The Senate ratifies treaties, and both chambers play a role in declaring war, approving military funding, and keeping an eye on foreign aid spending. These powers allow Congress to work alongside the president in shaping foreign policy.
This is part of our civics series, created to help Christians grow in understanding and compassion on key issues.
Last Updated: November 12, 2024
