United States Congress
Congress is the term for the legislative body of the United States of America.
Contents
Powers
The powers of congress, called the Delegated Powers are detailed in Article I, section eight. This includes the Necessary and Proper Clause[1]
Origin
The Congress of the United States was created in the first article of the Constitution[2].
Houses
Congress is divided into two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate gives equal weight for each state, with each state electing 2 senators who serve 6 year terms. The House is proportioned based upon population, with each House member serving a 2 year term. The House and Senate must agree for legislation to be enacted. The President can veto that legislation which can then be overridden by a 2/3rds majority of both Houses of Congress.
Quotations
| “ | There is no distinctly American criminal class, except Congress | ” |
--Mark Twain
References
- ↑ U.S. Government and Politics
- ↑ http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articlei.html#section1
