US Congress Facts for kids |
| US Congressional Fact 1: | The legislative branch of the United States government is called Congress and is responsible for creating laws, controlling finances and the declaration of war |
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| US Congressional Fact 2: | Congress represents the people of the United States and the role of congressmen is to serve their constituents who give their opinions to their representatives |
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| US Congressional Fact 3: | The Lower House and the Upper House: It is divided into two chambers: The Senate and the House of Representatives who work in parallel. |
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| US Congressional Fact 4: | The upper house is another name for the Senate and the lower house is another name for the House of Representatives. Congress has 535 voting members: 435 Representatives and 100 Senators |
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| US Congressional Fact 5: | Bicameral Structure of Congress: The House of Representatives is larger - each state has a number of representatives proportional to its population. There are 435 members elected from throughout the country. The Senate is smaller having 100 members - each state has two senators. |
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| US Congressional Fact 6: | The Constitution requires a census to be taken every 10 years. If a state's population increases, that state's number of representatives can increase too. |
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| US Congressional Fact 7: | Senators serve six year terms and Representatives serve two year terms |
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| US Congressional Fact 8: | Congressional Elections: There are 3 types of congressional elections that are called primary elections, general elections and special elections |
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| US Congressional Fact 9: | Qualifications: The qualifications and eligibility are that all members must be state residents. Minimum Length of Citizenship in the House of Representatives is 7 years and the minimum age is 25 years old . Minimum Length of Citizenship in the Senate is 9 years and the minimum age is 30 years old |
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| US Congressional Fact 10: | Limits on terms in office: Members can be re-elected as many times as the people wish. Every two years, voters elect all of the members of the House and one-third of the Senate |
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| US Congressional Fact 11: | Congressional Record: The proceedings of each house are recorded in the Congressional Record |
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| US Congressional Fact 12: | The Legislative Process: Only a Congressional member may introduce a bill. Bills referred to an appropriate committee. If the committee approves a bill, the bill is sent on to the Senate or the full House which then debates and votes on the bill. If the bill is passed it goes to the President who signs the bill into law. |
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| US Congressional Fact 13: | The Legislative Process, Making Bills into law: The official legislative duty of the President of the United States is to sign, or veto (refuse), bills passed by Congress. When the President signs a bill, it becomes law. |
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| US Congressional Fact 14: | The Legislative Process, the President's Veto: If a bill is vetoed (refused) by the President, it goes back to Congress, who can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses. |
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| US Congressional Fact 15: | The Supreme Court has the power to overturn a law that they believe is unconstitutional. |
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| US Congressional Fact 16: | The Budget: Congress has the "power of the purse" and must approve all government spending and appropriate the amount of money to be spent, called Appropriation Bills |
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| US Congressional Fact 17: | The Staff System: Congress operates by employing a large number of people, called staffers, who provide research, analysis and clerical assistance to members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. |
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| US Congressional Fact 18: | The two houses have an equal voice in legislation but both the Senate and the House of Representatives have unique powers |
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| US Congressional Fact 19: | Unique Powers: Revenue bills (tax bills) and the power to Impeach a federal official must originate in the House of Representatives |
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| US Congressional Fact 20: | Unique Powers: The Senate has the power to try impeached government officials and to ratify treaties |
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| US Congressional Fact 21: | Limits on Powers: Article I, Section 9, of the Constitution places three important limits on the powers of Congress. |
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| US Congressional Fact 22: | Limits: It cannot pass pass bills of attainder, which punish individuals outside of the court system |
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| US Congressional Fact 23: | Limits: It cannot pass ex post facto laws, which outlaw acts after they have already been committed |
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| US Congressional Fact 24: | Limits: It can only suspend the writ of habeas corpus during times of national emergency |
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| US Congressional Fact 25: | The American political system has evolved into a two-party system, who dominate American politics |
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| US Congressional Fact 26: | The dominant political parties in the United States are the Democratic Political Party and the Republican Political Party |
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| US Congressional Fact 27: | Caucuses: At the start of each congressional session, the political parties meet in a caucus, which means an informal meeting of people with common interests. The Caucuses are important when formulating bills and rallying support |
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| US Congressional Fact 28: | Congressional Pork: "Pork" is a term used to describe government appointments, funds or benefits dispensed or legislated by politicians to gain favor with their constituents |
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| US Congressional Fact 29: | Whips: Whips exist in both the Senate and the House of Representatives for each political party. The Whips make sure that legislators are present for important votes and for ensuring that important votes have the desired outcome for their party on major issues |
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| US Congressional Fact 30: | Whips: There are the Majority and Minority Whips depending on which party has the most legislators |
US Congress Facts for kids |
