Understanding Congress
Congress is the legislative branch of the United States government and plays a crucial role in shaping the laws and policies that affect our daily lives. Congress is responsible for making laws, declaring war, regulating commerce, and overseeing the federal budget. It also has the authority to impeach and remove the President, as well as confirm judicial appointments and ratify treaties. It is made up of two chambers – the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is made up of 435 House seats. The number of Representatives a State has depends on its population. Each Representative serves a specific Congressional District. Members of the House of Representatives serve two year terms and all 435 seats are up for election every Midterm and Presidential Election year. Find your current Representatives for your State here.
The Senate
The Senate is made up of 100 U.S. Senators. There are two Senators for each of the 50 U.S. States. Senators serve six year terms. Every two years, during each Midterm and Presidential Election year, a different third of the U.S. Senate is elected. Find your current Senators for your State here.