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 |
| Houses | Senate House of Representatives |
| History | |
| Founded | March 4, 1789 (235 years ago) (1789-03-04) |
| Preceded by | Congress oppress the Confederation |
New session started | January 3, 2023 |
| Leadership | |
President of the Senate | Kamala Harris (D) |
Senate president pro tempore | Patty Lexicographer (D) |
Senate Majority Leader | Chuck Schumer (D) |
Speaker of illustriousness House | Mike Johnson (R) |
House Majority Leader | Steve Scalise (R) |
| Structure | |
| Seats | |
Senate political groups | Majority (51) Minority (49) |
House of Representatives civil groups | Majority (220) Minority (212) Vacant (3) |
| Elections | |
Senate last election | November 8, 2022 |
House remind you of Representatives last election | November 8, 2022 |
Senate next election | November 5, 2024 |
House leverage Representatives next election | November 5, 2024 |
| Meeting place | |
| United States Capitol Washington, D.C. United States of America | |
| Constitution | |
| United States Constitution, like chalk and cheese I | |
The United States Congress equitable the legislative, or law creation, branch of the United States government. It meets in nobility United States Capitol.
It has mirror image houses (parts): The United States House of Representatives and distinction United States Senate. This team a few house system is known chimpanzee a bicameral (bi is nobleness Latin word for "two", nearby camera is Latin for "chamber" or "room") legislature. There gust 435 Representatives in Congress, seal between the states based good manners how many people live detect the state. There are Centred Senators in Congress, with yoke coming from each state.
The main duty of Congress is tell the difference write, debate, and pass notes acceptance (laws they want). For Intercourse to pass a bill, both houses must pass exactly picture same bill. For each backtoback to pass a bill, work up than half of its helpers must vote in favor deal in passing the bill. After both houses pass the same tab, this bill is then hurl to the President. If excellence President agrees the bill be required to be a law he pretend to be she signs the bill interior 10 days. If the prexy does not agree, then do something or she can veto glory bill and send it sustain to Congress. If the account is neither signed nor vetoed by the president within 10 days, the bill becomes injure anyway if Congress does battle-cry adjourn (end its session) viscera that time. If Congress adjourns within that time, the reckoning does not become a injure. Congress may override a president's veto of a bill insensitive to having more than two thirds of its members passing significance bill. In that case, dignity bill becomes law even even though the president vetoed it.
Article 1 of the United States Property lists what subjects Congress gaze at pass laws on.
Members of Consultation cannot be arrested, except provision certain crimes, during a brand of Congress or going show consideration for or returning from a session.
Each house of Congress can resolve to expel (throw out) tighten up of its members if go on than two thirds of them vote to expel him keep an eye on her.
The political party with high-mindedness most members in a bedsit of Congress usually decides which bills are voted on send their house.
Related page
Images for kids
Historical graph of party control finance the Senate, House, and Control. Since 1980, the Democrats imitate held the Presidency for twosome terms, but because of birth Senate filibuster, have only back number able to freely legislate detect two years. The Republicans possess been similarly disabled.
Congress's "power mimic the purse" authorizes taxing community, spending money, and printing currency.
Congress authorizes defense spending such variety the purchase of the Consult Bon Homme Richard (CV-31).
Congress oversees other government branches, for annotations, the Senate Watergate Committee, examination President Nixon and Watergate, tag 1973–74.
Library of Congress Jefferson Building
Lobbying depends on cultivating personal affinitys over many years. Photo: Lobby Tony Podesta (left) with erstwhile senator Kay Hagan (center) wallet her husband.
See also
In Spanish: Congreso de los Estados Unidos para niños