Breaking news
- How is the special counsel’s investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents?The special counsel report on President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents was released by special counsel Robert Hur. Here are some key takeaways from the… Read more: How is the special counsel’s investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents?
- When does Mayorkas’ impeachment trial begin and what are the predictions?The impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is set to begin on April 10, 2024. As for the predictions, it… Read more: When does Mayorkas’ impeachment trial begin and what are the predictions?
Congressional Bills
- H. Res. 1153 (IH) - Recognizing the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2024, as the seventh annual Black Maternal Health Week.
- H. Res. 1156 (IH) - Expressing support for the designation of April 17, 2025, as Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Day to remember the horrific slaughter of almost 2,000,000 Cambodian people at the hand of the Khmer Rouge regime.
- H. Res. 1155 (IH) - Expressing support for the recognition of April as National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) and celebrating the heritage and culture of Arab Americans in the United States.
- H. Res. 1159 (IH) - Recognizing the longstanding partnership between USDA and NASA and encouraging further interagency collaboration.
- H.R. 7886 (IH) - Humphrey-Hawkins 21st Century Full Employment and Training Act of 2024
U.S. Congress information
Political power in the US is based on the Constitution, which establishes a federal republic with a presidential system.
The federal government is divided into three branches: the executive, headed by the president; the legislative, composed of the Congress (Senate and House of Representatives); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other courts.
United States Congress meets at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The legislative branch is responsible for making the country’s laws, as well as checking and balancing the other branches of government.
The legislative branch consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress.
Both chambers of Congress must pass a bill by majority vote before it can be sent to the President for approval or veto.
If the President vetoes a bill, Congress can override it by a two-thirds vote in each chamber.
The Congress also publishes a resume of congressional activity, which is a summary of the legislative work done by each session of Congress.
The resume of congressional activity includes information such as the number of bills introduced, passed, vetoed, or enacted; the number of roll call votes, quorum calls, and filibusters; the number of days and hours in session; the attendance and party breakdown of members; etc.
The resume of congressional activity is issued at the end of each session and is also published monthly in the Congressional Record.
Congress also has the authority to:
- Declare war
- Regulate commerce
- Raise taxes
- Borrow money
- Coin money
- Provide for the common defense and general welfare of the nation
Current leaders of the Congress:
- Speaker of the House: Mike Johnson (R-LA-04)
- House Majority Leader: Steve Scalise (R-LA-01)
- House Minority Leader: Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08)
- Senate Majority Leader: Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
- Senate Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Summary
The Congress of the United States is the legislative branch of the federal government, composed of two chambers:
- The Senate
- House of Representatives
The Congress is responsible for making laws, declaring war, raising and providing public money and overseeing its proper expenditure, impeaching and trying federal officers, approving presidential appointments, and ratifying treaties with foreign governments.
To amplify information: