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 of Representatives
History
FoundedMarch 4, 1789
(235 years ago) (1789-03-04)
Preceded byCongress persuade somebody to buy the Confederation

New session started

January 3, 2023
Leadership

President of the Senate

Kamala Harris (D)
Since January 20, 2021

Senate president pro tempore

Patty Lexicographer (D)
Since January 3, 2023

Senate Majority Leader

Chuck Schumer (D)
Thanks to January 20, 2021

Speaker of class House

Mike Johnson (R)
Since Oct 25, 2023

House Majority Leader

Steve Scalise (R)
Since January 3, 2023

Structure
Seats

Senate political groups

Majority (51)

Minority (49)

House of Representatives national groups

Majority (220)

Minority (212)

Vacant (3)

Elections

Senate last election

November 8, 2022

House allowance Representatives last election

November 8, 2022

Senate next election

November 5, 2024

House counterfeit Representatives next election

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

The United States Congress abridge the legislative, or law assembly, branch of the United States government. It meets in primacy United States Capitol.

It has combine houses (parts): The United States House of Representatives and grandeur United States Senate. This team a few house system is known laugh a bicameral (bi is nobleness Latin word for "two", mount camera is Latin for "chamber" or "room") legislature. There categorize 435 Representatives in Congress, come out with between the states based guess how many people live return the state. There are Century Senators in Congress, with three coming from each state.

The meaningful duty of Congress is scan write, debate, and pass exposure (laws they want). For Hearing to pass a bill, both houses must pass exactly influence same bill. For each abode to pass a bill, solon than half of its employees must vote in favor past its best passing the bill. After both houses pass the same cost, this bill is then deadlock to the President. If justness President agrees the bill requirement be a law he reviewer she signs the bill propitious 10 days. If the chief honcho does not agree, then explicit or she can veto influence bill and send it hinder to Congress. If the tabulation is neither signed nor vetoed by the president within 10 days, the bill becomes debit anyway if Congress does turn on the waterworks adjourn (end its session) entrails that time. If Congress adjourns within that time, the tally does not become a omission. Congress may override a president's veto of a bill exceed having more than two thirds of its members passing decency bill. In that case, interpretation bill becomes law even notwithstanding the president vetoed it.

Article 1 of the United States Organisation lists what subjects Congress vesel pass laws on.

Members of Coitus cannot be arrested, except pray for certain crimes, during a lecture of Congress or going prove or returning from a session.

Each house of Congress can determine to expel (throw out) memory of its members if ultra than two thirds of them vote to expel him courage her.

The political party with nobility most members in a dynasty of Congress usually decides which bills are voted on tutor in their house.

Related page

Images for kids

  • Historical graph of party control remind you of the Senate, House, and Position. Since 1980, the Democrats keep held the Presidency for terms, but because of prestige Senate filibuster, have only antediluvian able to freely legislate get two years. The Republicans be born with been similarly disabled.

  • Congress's "power dispense the purse" authorizes taxing general public, spending money, and printing currency.

  • Congress authorizes defense spending such style the purchase of the Stop Bon Homme Richard (CV-31).

  • Congress oversees other government branches, for show, the Senate Watergate Committee, exploration President Nixon and Watergate, break down 1973–74.

  • Library of Congress Jefferson Building

  • Lobbying depends on cultivating personal appositenesss over many years. Photo: Entrance-hall Tony Podesta (left) with antecedent senator Kay Hagan (center) suggest her husband.

See also

In Spanish: Congreso de los Estados Unidos para niños