The legislative branch of US government is the US Congress, created by Article I of the Constitution. The upper-house of Congress is the US Senate, the lower-house is the House of Representatives.
Main roles and powers
To pass legislation (laws)
Declare war
Regulate trade
Regulate money
Impeach federal officials
Override presidential vetoes (2/3 vote in each house)
Special powers & Responsibilities:
Approve presidential nominations to the federal courts (including the Supreme Court, by majority vote)
Approve presidential appointments to federal positions (by a majority vote)
Approve treaties (by 2/3 vote)
Serve as jury in impeachment trials
Select a Vice-President if the electoral college fails to
House of Representatives:
Originate all spending ($$) bills
Serve as prosecution in impeachment trial
Select a President if the electoral college fails to
Requirements and terms of service:
Term: Senators serve unlimited 6 year terms, elected by popular vote (**note: The original Constitution called for Senators to be elected by the state legislatures, the 17th amendment changed this to a popular vote)
Requirements: Senators must be over 30, 9 year citizens of the US and a resident of the state
House of Representatives:
Term: Representatives serve unlimited 2 year terms, elected by popular vote
Requirements: Representatives must be over 30, 9 year citizens of the US and a resident of the state
Representation:
Senate:
· Representation: Each state has 2 Senators
House of Representatives:
· Representation: Each state's number of representatives is proportional to population.
The number of Representatives is fixed at 435 and division among the states is determined by the census (population count) conducted ever 10 years as required by the Constitution.
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