7.1 Structure and Functions of Congress
3 min read•august 9, 2024
Congress is the heart of American . The bicameral legislature, with its and , balances state and population-based . Each chamber has unique structures and leadership roles that shape the legislative process.
Congress does more than just make laws. It oversees the executive branch, confirms appointments, and serves constituents. Through , hearings, and votes, Congress shapes policy and holds the government accountable to the people it represents.
Legislative Branch Structure
Bicameral Congress and Representation
Top images from around the web for Bicameral Congress and Representation
List of United States congressional districts - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
The Institutional Design of Congress – Introduction to American Government View original
Is this image relevant?
Congress: How is the legislative branch structured? – United States Government View original
Is this image relevant?
List of United States congressional districts - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
The Institutional Design of Congress – Introduction to American Government View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Bicameral Congress and Representation
List of United States congressional districts - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
The Institutional Design of Congress – Introduction to American Government View original
Is this image relevant?
Congress: How is the legislative branch structured? – United States Government View original
Is this image relevant?
List of United States congressional districts - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
The Institutional Design of Congress – Introduction to American Government View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Bicameral legislature consists of two chambers: House of Representatives and Senate
- House of Representatives includes 435 voting members apportioned based on state population
- Senate comprises 100 members with two senators representing each state regardless of population
- Congressional districts divide states into geographical areas for electing House representatives
- Apportionment process redistributes House seats among states every 10 years after the census
House of Representatives Composition
- Members serve two-year terms with all seats up for election every even-numbered year
- Minimum age requirement of 25 years old to serve in the House
- Must be a U.S. citizen for at least seven years before taking office
- Required to be an inhabitant of the state they represent when elected
- Speaker of the House presides over the chamber and is second in line for presidential succession
Senate Structure and Membership
- Senators serve six-year terms with one-third of seats up for election every two years
- Minimum age requirement of 30 years old to serve in the Senate
- Must be a U.S. citizen for at least nine years before taking office
- Required to be an inhabitant of the state they represent when elected
- Vice President of the United States serves as President of the Senate, casting tie-breaking votes
Congressional Leadership
House Leadership Roles
- Speaker of the House serves as the chamber's presiding officer and leader of the majority party
- works with the Speaker to set the legislative agenda and schedule
- Minority Leader heads the opposition party and advocates for their policy positions
- Whips assist party leaders in mobilizing votes and maintaining party discipline
- Committee chairs oversee specific policy areas and guide legislation through the committee process
Senate Leadership Structure
- Senate Majority Leader serves as the chamber's primary leader and spokesperson for the majority party
- Minority Leader heads the opposition party and negotiates with the majority on legislative matters
- President Pro Tempore presides over the Senate in the Vice President's absence (traditionally the most senior member of the majority party)
- Party whips assist leaders in vote counting and ensuring party unity on key issues
- Committee chairs lead hearings, investigations, and the drafting of legislation within their jurisdictions
Committee System Organization
- Standing committees focus on specific policy areas (Agriculture, Armed Services, Foreign Relations)
- Select committees address temporary or specific issues (Intelligence, Ethics)
- Joint committees include members from both chambers (Library of Congress, Taxation)
- Conference committees reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of
- Subcommittees specialize in narrower topics within a committee's broader jurisdiction
Congressional Functions
Lawmaking and Policy Development
- Introduces and debates bills on various issues affecting the nation
- Holds committee hearings to gather expert testimony and public input on proposed legislation
- Amends and refines bills through the markup process in committees
- Votes on legislation in both chambers, requiring a majority to pass
- Reconciles differences between House and Senate versions through conference committees
- Overrides presidential vetoes with a two-thirds majority in both chambers if necessary
Oversight and Accountability
- Conducts investigations into government operations, policies, and potential wrongdoing
- Holds hearings to question administration officials and gather information
- Reviews and approves the federal budget, allocating funds to various programs and agencies
- Confirms presidential appointments for executive and judicial positions (Senate only)
- Ratifies international treaties (Senate only, requiring a two-thirds majority)
- Impeaches and tries federal officials for high crimes and misdemeanors
Representation and Constituent Services
- Advocates for the interests of their state or district in national policymaking
- Responds to constituent inquiries and concerns through correspondence and meetings
- Assists constituents with federal agency issues (Social Security, Veterans Affairs, immigration)
- Secures federal funding for local projects and programs through the appropriations process
- Provides information about government services and resources to constituents
- Nominates candidates for military service academies (West Point, Naval Academy)
Key Terms to Review (21)
17th Amendment: The 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote, rather than being appointed by state legislatures. This change aimed to enhance democratic participation and reduce corruption in the selection of senators, reflecting a broader movement towards more democratic governance in the early 20th century.
27th Amendment: The 27th Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress from taking effect until after the next election of representatives. This amendment ensures that lawmakers cannot change their pay without the approval of the electorate, creating a check on congressional power and enhancing accountability in governance.
Article I: Article I of the United States Constitution establishes the legislative branch of the federal government, known as Congress. It outlines the structure, powers, and functions of Congress, including the establishment of a bicameral legislature composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate. This article is crucial for understanding the separation of powers in the U.S. government and provides the framework for how laws are made at both federal and state levels.
Bicameralism: Bicameralism refers to a legislative system that has two separate chambers or houses, which work together to create and pass laws. This structure is designed to provide a system of checks and balances, ensuring that legislation is thoroughly reviewed and debated before becoming law. In the United States, bicameralism is embodied in Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as in many state legislatures that feature similar dual-chamber setups.
Bills: Bills are formal proposals for new laws or amendments to existing laws that are presented for debate and approval in a legislative body. They serve as the primary mechanism through which Congress exercises its law-making powers, allowing members to propose changes to federal laws and address various issues affecting the nation.
Checks and balances: Checks and balances is a fundamental principle of governance that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful, by giving each branch the ability to limit the powers of the others. This system promotes accountability and prevents the abuse of power, reflecting the belief in the separation of powers that is essential to democratic governance.
Committees: Committees are smaller groups within a legislative body that focus on specific areas of policy, allowing for detailed examination and recommendation on various issues. They play a crucial role in the lawmaking process by conducting hearings, gathering information, and facilitating discussion among members. By dividing responsibilities among committees, legislatures can operate more efficiently and effectively manage their workload.
Conference committee: A conference committee is a temporary, joint committee formed by both houses of Congress to reconcile differences in legislation that has passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate. This committee plays a crucial role in the legislative process, ensuring that both chambers can agree on the final wording of a bill before it is sent to the President for approval. The process promotes collaboration and compromise, as members work together to address any discrepancies between the two versions of the bill.
Enumerated Powers: Enumerated powers are specific authorities granted to the federal government by the Constitution, primarily outlined in Article I, Section 8. These powers are distinct from implied powers and establish a clear framework for what the federal government can and cannot do. Understanding these powers is crucial for grasping the compromises made during the drafting of the Constitution, how federalism operates, and the structure and functions of Congress.
Filibuster: A filibuster is a parliamentary procedure that allows one or more members of a legislative body to delay or obstruct a vote on a proposed legislation by extending debate on the matter. This tactic is often used in the U.S. Senate, where a single senator or a group can hold the floor and speak for an extended period, effectively preventing the Senate from moving forward on legislation unless a supermajority votes to end the debate. The use of the filibuster is tied to the structure and functions of Congress, illustrating the powers and limitations of legislatures and how they operate within both federal and state legislative processes.
House of Representatives: The House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress, responsible for making federal laws. It is designed to represent the population, with members elected directly by the people, serving two-year terms. The structure of the House, including its proportional representation based on state populations, was a key component in several compromises during the drafting of the Constitution and was significant in the debates surrounding its ratification.
Implied powers: Implied powers refer to the authority granted to Congress by the Constitution that is not explicitly stated but is necessary for carrying out its enumerated powers. These powers allow Congress to enact legislation and take actions that are deemed essential to execute its responsibilities effectively. This flexibility plays a critical role in the functioning of the legislative branch, allowing it to adapt to changing circumstances and address issues not foreseen by the framers of the Constitution.
Lawmaking: Lawmaking is the process through which legislative bodies create, amend, or repeal laws that govern society. This essential function of government involves various steps, including proposal, debate, voting, and implementation, reflecting the democratic principles of representation and accountability.
Majority leader: The majority leader is the head of the majority party in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, responsible for setting the legislative agenda and guiding party strategy. This leadership role is pivotal in coordinating party members' efforts, negotiating with opposition parties, and ensuring that the party's goals are advanced through the legislative process.
Necessary and Proper Clause: The Necessary and Proper Clause, also known as the Elastic Clause, is a provision in the U.S. Constitution that grants Congress the power to make all laws that are necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers. This clause allows for flexibility in governance, enabling Congress to adapt its legislative powers to meet the needs of a changing nation while ensuring that it operates within its constitutional boundaries.
Override: Override refers to the act of nullifying or setting aside a decision, action, or authority, particularly in the context of legislative processes where Congress can counteract a presidential veto. This process illustrates the balance of power within government, as it allows Congress to exert its authority over the executive branch, ensuring that legislation can still pass despite presidential disapproval.
Oversight: Oversight refers to the process by which legislative bodies monitor, review, and supervise government activities and programs to ensure accountability and adherence to laws. This function is crucial in maintaining checks and balances within the government, allowing Congress to evaluate the performance of the executive branch and other federal agencies.
Representation: Representation refers to the political principle that individuals or groups are elected or appointed to act on behalf of others within a legislative body. This concept is vital in ensuring that the diverse interests and viewpoints of the population are reflected in government decisions. It highlights the balance between democracy and governance, as well as the ongoing debate about who should have the power to represent whom, especially in contexts where different factions may have opposing views.
Senate: The Senate is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress, responsible for representing the states and making federal laws. Each state is represented by two senators, regardless of its population, which ensures equal representation for all states. The Senate plays a critical role in the legislative process, as well as in confirming presidential appointments and ratifying treaties.
Veto: A veto is the constitutional right of a political leader to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body. This power is most often exercised by the President of the United States to block legislation passed by Congress, serving as a critical check on legislative authority. The veto process ensures that no single branch of government can dominate the legislative process and reflects the system of checks and balances designed to maintain governmental accountability and prevent abuse of power.
Whip: In the context of Congress, a whip is a party member responsible for ensuring party discipline in voting and managing communication between party leadership and members. Whips play a critical role in coordinating legislative strategy, rallying votes for important bills, and maintaining party unity during votes, especially on contentious issues.