The USA Congress and

its Mandate
 The U.S. Congress
 The “ Legislative Branch ” of the U.S.
Government
 Consists of 535 members in a two
house (“ bicameral ”) system.
 “ House of Representatives ” and “
Senate ”
 U.S. House of Representatives
 The “ lower house ”
 Consists of 435 members
 Membership based on population (each state gets
at least one)
 2 Year Terms
 Focused on the concerns of their local
“constituents” (people they represent)
 “U.S. Senate”
 The “ upper house ”
 Consists of 100 members
 Membership based on 2 per state (50
States).
 6 Year Terms (only 1/3 can be up for re-
election at one time)
 Focused on the concerns of their state
“constituents” (people they represent)
 The Powers of Congress
1. Lawmaking
• Enumerated Powers (Article I, Section 8)
• “Necessary and Proper Clause”, Implied Powers
2. Amending the Constitution
• Congress has power to amend the constitution
• Both chambers must approve the proposed amendment by 2-3
majority
3. War and Foreign Policy
• Formal Declarations and Military Operations
4. Regulation of Commerce
• Monopolies, Labor Unions, Wages, Discrimination
5. Appropriations
• “Power of the Purse”
 These are the major powers that
the modern congress possesses
5. Impeachment
• “High Crimes and Misdemeanors”
• House brings charges; Senate conducts trial
6. Oversight
• Hearings, Feedback, Reports, Investigations
7. Treaties and Appointments
• Senate ratifies treaties, confirms appointments
8. Taxation
• All bills for raising revenue must originate in the House.
 How a Bill Becomes a
Law
• The Process:
• Bill Introduction
• Committee Process
• Floor Action
• Conference Committee
• Presidential Decision
Important Constitutional Differences Between
the House of Representatives and the Senate
HOUSE SENATE
Total Numbers 435 Members 100 Members
Minimum Age 25 Years Old and U.S. 30 Years Old and U.S.
Citizen Citizen
Citizenship 7 Years and U.S. Citizen 9 Years and U.S. Citizen
Requirements
Residency Requirements Resident of their States Resident of their State
and District
Length of Terms 2 Years 6 Years
Responsibilities of • Influence Foreign • Influence Foreign
Congress Policy • Influence Policy • Influence
Domestic Policy • Domestic Policy •
Balance the Budget • Balance the Budget •
Create and Pass Laws Create and Pass Laws
 117th United States
Congress
January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023
House of Representatives House
•
435 Representatives . 100 Members
•
6 Non-voting members . President: Kamala Harris
• Speaker: Nancy Pelosi (D)
• Majority : Democratic (219) . Majority: Democratic 50

•
Minority : Republican (211) . Minority: Republican 50