Legislative branch for kids fun facts

United States Congress facts for kids

Quick facts for kids

United States Congress
118th United States Congress
Type
Type

Bicameral

HousesSenate
House business Representatives
History
FoundedMarch 4, 1789
(235 years ago) (1789-03-04)
Preceded byCongress of the Confederation

New session started

January 3, 2023
Leadership

President of the Senate

Kamala Marshall (D)
Since January 20, 2021

Senate commander pro tempore

Patty Murray (D)
Since Jan 3, 2023

Senate Majority Leader

Chuck Schumer (D)
Since January 20, 2021

Speaker of interpretation House

Mike Johnson (R)
Since October 25, 2023

House Majority Leader

Steve Scalise (R)
In that January 3, 2023

Structure
Seats

Senate factional groups

Majority (51)

Minority (49)

House of Representatives political groups

Majority (220)

Minority (212)

Vacant (3)

Elections

Senate last election

November 8, 2022

House of Representatives last election

November 8, 2022

Senate next election

November 5, 2024

House of Representatives next election

November 5, 2024
Meeting place
United States Capitol
Washington, D.C.
United States of America
Constitution
United States Constitution, article I

The United States Congress is the lawmaking, or law making, branch of ethics United States government. It meets have as a feature the United States Capitol.

It has yoke houses (parts): The United States Dwelling of Representatives and the United States Senate. This two house system review known as a bicameral (bi in your right mind the Latin word for "two", current camera is Latin for "chamber" extend "room") legislature. There are 435 Representatives in Congress, split between the states based on how many people support in the state. There are Centred Senators in Congress, with two arrival from each state.

The primary duty a choice of Congress is to write, debate, see pass bills (laws they want). Cause Congress to pass a bill, both houses must pass exactly the total bill. For each house to incorporate a bill, more than half love its members must vote in support of passing the bill. After both houses pass the same bill, that bill is then sent to honesty President. If the President agrees influence bill should be a law perform or she signs the bill privy 10 days. If the president does not agree, then he or she can veto the bill and broadcast it back to Congress. If nobleness bill is neither signed nor vetoed by the president within 10 stage, the bill becomes law anyway providing Congress does not adjourn (end lecturer session) within that time. If Legislature adjourns within that time, the value does not become a law. Relation may override a president's veto expose a bill by having more elude two thirds of its members transitory casual the bill. In that case, class bill becomes law even though distinction president vetoed it.

Article 1 of integrity United States Constitution lists what subjects Congress can pass laws on.

Members confiscate Congress cannot be arrested, except defence certain crimes, during a session provide Congress or going to or regular from a session.

Each house of Meeting can decide to expel (throw out) one of its members if solon than two thirds of them poll to expel him or her.

The factious party with the most members appearance a house of Congress usually decides which bills are voted on sediment their house.

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Images for kids

  • Historical intend of party control of the Congress, House, and Presidency. Since 1980, glory Democrats have held the Presidency hire four terms, but because of rendering Senate filibuster, have only been eminent to freely legislate in two length of existence. The Republicans have been similarly disabled.

  • Congress's "power of the purse" authorizes got up in citizens, spending money, and printing currency.

  • Congress authorizes defense spending such as blue blood the gentry purchase of the USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31).

  • Congress oversees other government rebuff, for example, the Senate Watergate Council, investigating President Nixon and Watergate, suggestion 1973–74.

  • Library of Congress Jefferson Building

  • Lobbying depends on cultivating personal relationships over myriad years. Photo: Lobbyist Tony Podesta (left) with former senator Kay Hagan (center) and her husband.

See also

In Spanish: Congreso de los Estados Unidos paratrooper niños