Crandi

A Guide To United States Government And Politics Congress

Leo Migdal
-
a guide to united states government and politics congress

Laws begin as ideas. First, a representative sponsors a bill. The bill is then assigned to a committee for study. If released by the committee, the bill is put on a calendar to be voted on, debated or amended. If the bill passes by simple majority (218 of 435), the bill moves to the Senate. In the Senate, the bill is assigned to another committee and, if released, debated and voted on.

Again, a simple majority (51 of 100) passes the bill. Finally, a conference committee made of House and Senate members works out any differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The resulting bill returns to the House and Senate for final approval. The Government Printing Office prints the revised bill in a process called enrolling. The President has 10 days to sign or veto the enrolled bill Source: .https://www.house.gov/the-house-explained/the-legislative-process

The work of Congress is initiated by the introduction of a proposal in one of four principal forms: the bill, the joint resolution, the concurrent resolution, and the simple resolution. A bill is the form used for most legislation, whether permanent or temporary, general or special, public or private. A bill originating in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters “H.R.”, signifying “House of Representatives”, followed by a number that it retains throughout all its parliamentary stages. Bills are presented to the President for action when approved in identical form by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Joint resolutions may originate either in the House of Representatives or in the Senate. There is little practical difference between a bill and a joint resolution.

Both are subject to the same procedure, except for a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution. On approval of such a resolution by two-thirds of both the House and Senate, it is sent directly to the Administrator of General Services for submission to the individual states for ratification. It is not presented to the President for approval. A joint resolution originating in the House of Representatives is designated “H.J.Res.” followed by its individual number. Joint resolutions become law in the same manner as bills. The legislative branch of a government is responsible for creating the laws of the nation.

In the United States, this function is carried out by the US Congress. Our Congress is bicameral, which means that it has two houses. The upper house is called the Senate and the lower house is called the House of Representatives. While both halves of Congress must be involved to pass any law, each half has slightly different powers and responsibilities. Each state is represented in the Senate by two Senators regardless of the state's size or population. Each Senator serves a six year term and are not limited in the number of terms they may serve.

There are 50 states so there are 100 Senators, one-third of which are up election every two years. The leader of the Senate is the Vice-President of the United States who presides over the Senate's proceedings, but only votes to break a tie. The Senate's special responsibilities largely involve the approval of treaties and the confirmation of many federal officers, including Supreme Court judges and the President's Cabinet Secretaries. The Senate also conducts the trial of those who have been impeached by the House of Representatives. In 1911, the total number of Representatives was capped at 495. Every ten years, these seats are apportioned (or divided up) according to the population reports in the Decennial Census.

Each state is entitled to at least one Representative, but most states have a large enough population to be divided into many districts, each of which elects one representative to the House. As of this writing, the State of Indiana has nine Representatives. Representatives serve two year terms and are not limited in the number of terms they may serve. Every two years, the entire House is up for election. The leader of the House is called the Speaker of the House and is elected to that position by the Representatives themselves. Both houses of Congress submit bills to be considered for ratification into law, but only the House of Representatives may introduce bills about revenue.

Also, before a federal officer can be sent to trial before the Senate, charges must be pressed against them through impeachment proceedings in the House. The Legislative Branch is comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate. These two together form the US Congress. Here are some great links to learning about the US Congress. Resources listed on these guides are compiled by librarians at the R.A. Williams Library.

We accept content recommendations, and after review, may include suggested resources on a guide. Our time is limited, so we generally do not reply to unsolicited recommendations from individuals not affiliated with AdventHealth University or notify them regarding whether or not we have linked to suggested content. The United States government is made up of the executive branch, the judicial branch, and the legislative branch. The three branches would keep each other balanced so that one branch did not become too powerful and each branch’s duties and powers are outlined in the Constitution. The legislative branch, made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, makes the laws of the United States. The United States government is made up of the executive branch, the judicial branch, and the legislative branch, or Congress.

Congress has two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The laws Congress makes help Americans. The House of Representatives plays an important role in the United States government. The Founding Fathers of the United States defined the House’s job during the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention in May of 1787 where they wrote the Constitution. History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives, “What is Congress?,” https://history.house.gov/Education/Kids/What-is-Congress/ (December 13, 2025)

Office of the HistorianOffice of Art and Archives Attic, Thomas Jefferson BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515(202) 226-1300 1789 -- current Public Law number (P.L. ___ ) In Proquest Congressional, select Bills by Number --> Search by Number from the menu. If you don't already have the number, select the Advanced Search. Unselect all, and select only Bills and Laws (1789 - ).

Search by topic word, or bill sponsor, or vote report (by sponsor), and more. Limit by date or Session of Congress.

People Also Search

Laws Begin As Ideas. First, A Representative Sponsors A Bill.

Laws begin as ideas. First, a representative sponsors a bill. The bill is then assigned to a committee for study. If released by the committee, the bill is put on a calendar to be voted on, debated or amended. If the bill passes by simple majority (218 of 435), the bill moves to the Senate. In the Senate, the bill is assigned to another committee and, if released, debated and voted on.

Again, A Simple Majority (51 Of 100) Passes The Bill.

Again, a simple majority (51 of 100) passes the bill. Finally, a conference committee made of House and Senate members works out any differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The resulting bill returns to the House and Senate for final approval. The Government Printing Office prints the revised bill in a process called enrolling. The President has 10 days to sign or veto the e...

The Work Of Congress Is Initiated By The Introduction Of

The work of Congress is initiated by the introduction of a proposal in one of four principal forms: the bill, the joint resolution, the concurrent resolution, and the simple resolution. A bill is the form used for most legislation, whether permanent or temporary, general or special, public or private. A bill originating in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters “H.R.”, signifyin...

Both Are Subject To The Same Procedure, Except For A

Both are subject to the same procedure, except for a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution. On approval of such a resolution by two-thirds of both the House and Senate, it is sent directly to the Administrator of General Services for submission to the individual states for ratification. It is not presented to the President for approval. A joint resolution originating in the H...

In The United States, This Function Is Carried Out By

In the United States, this function is carried out by the US Congress. Our Congress is bicameral, which means that it has two houses. The upper house is called the Senate and the lower house is called the House of Representatives. While both halves of Congress must be involved to pass any law, each half has slightly different powers and responsibilities. Each state is represented in the Senate by ...