Difference between revisions of "United States Congress"
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| − | '''Congress''' is the term for the legislative body of the [[United States of America]]. | + | [[File:U.S. Supreme Court and Capitol Washington D.C..jpg|thumb|The Capitol from the Supreme Court, Washington, D.C.]] |
| + | '''Congress (Congress of the United States)''' (a word derived from the Latin "congressum", from "congredior", meaning "to come together") is the term for the legislative body of the [[United States of America]], composed of the [[House of Representatives]] and [[United States Senate|Senate]]. In the current 118th Congress (2023-24), the House is controlled by the [[Republican Party]] and the Senate is controlled by the [[Democrat Party]]. The reelection rate for congressional incumbents is absurdly high, typically over 90%, despite persistently rock-bottom low approval ratings, typically around 20%. | ||
==Powers== | ==Powers== | ||
| − | + | The powers of Congress, called the [[Delegated Powers]] are detailed in [[United States Constitution:Article I|Article I]], section eight. Congress is vested with the power to impose and collect [[taxes]], to [[loan|borrow]] and [[coin]] [[money]], and to regulate foreign trade and [[interstate commerce]]. Congress is also responsible to create [[post office]]s and [[federal court]]s, maintain the [[Army]] and [[Navy]], and admit new [[states]] into the union. Additionally, Congress can propose [[amendment]]s to the [[Constitution]]. The [[Necessary and Proper Clause]] grants Congress all other powers necessary to carry out its duties.<ref>U.S. Government and Politics</ref> | |
| − | The powers of | + | |
==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
| − | + | The Congress of the United States was created in the [[Unites States Constitution:Article I|first article]] of the [[United States Constitution|Constitution]].<ref>http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articlei.html#section1</ref> Most [[historian]]s agree that the [[bicameral]] system within Congress is derived from the English [[Parliament]]. | |
| − | The Congress of the United States was created in the [[Unites States Constitution:Article I|first article]] of the [[Constitution]]<ref>http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articlei.html#section1</ref>. | + | |
==Houses== | ==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. | + | Congress is divided into two houses, the [[United States Senate|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. |
| + | |||
| + | The basis of these two components come from [[James Madison]]'s [[Virginia Plan]] and [[William Patterson]]'s [[New Jersey Plan]]. During the [[Philadelphia Convention]] in 1787, Madison's [[Virginia]] Plan called for two houses both of which would be represent each state based on its population. Smaller states took issue with this, as the provision was highly favorable to Virginia. Thus, William Patterson proposed the [[New Jersey]] Plan - which called for one house that represented each stated with a single vote. Eventually the [[Connecticut]] delegates proposed the [[Connecticut Compromise]] - which called for two houses, the upper of which would represent each state equally, and the lower of which would represent each state according to population.<ref>Boyer, 187</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Congressmen in the White House== | ||
| + | Thirty-three members of Congress have gone on to become [[President of the United States]], the vast majority of which were [[Republican]] members.<ref>http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/mem_bio/mem_pres.html</ref> Among those who ascended to the White House are: | ||
| + | *[[George H.W. Bush]] | ||
| + | *[[Abraham Lincoln]] | ||
| + | *[[Andrew Jackson]] | ||
| + | *[[Gerald Ford]] | ||
| + | *[[John Quincy Adams]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Benefits == | ||
| + | [[File:Interior of the Library of Congress.jpg|thumb|Interior of the Library of Congress.]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Notable Members== | ||
| + | *[[Larry McDonald]], a passenger on [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]] shot down by the Soviets on Sept. 1, 1983, the only congressman reported killed by the Soviets during the [[Cold War]] | ||
| + | *Senator Hiram Revels of [[Mississippi]] and Representative Joseph Rainey of [[South Carolina]] became the first [[African American]] members of Congress in 1870.<ref>http://baic.house.gov/</ref> | ||
| + | *Republican Florence Prag Kahn was the first [[Jewish]] woman and first widow elected to Congress<ref>http://florencekahn.clerk.house.gov/</ref> | ||
| + | *[[William Jennings Bryan]], four-time presidential candidate, best known as the prosecutor in the 1920 [[Scopes Monkey Trial]] | ||
| − | == | + | ==Quotations== |
{{cquote|There is no distinctly American criminal class, except Congress}} | {{cquote|There is no distinctly American criminal class, except Congress}} | ||
| + | -- [[Mark Twain]] | ||
| + | {{cquote|Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a [[member of Congress]], but I repeat myself.}} | ||
| + | -- [[Mark Twain]] | ||
| − | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| + | Boyer, Paul, Clifford Clark, Jr., Nancy Woloch, Neal Salisbury, and Harvard Sitkoff. The Enduring Vision. 5th. New York: Charles Hartford, | ||
| − | + | ==Notes== | |
| + | {{reflist}} | ||
| − | [[Category:United States]] | + | [[Category:United States of America]] |
[[Category:United States Government]] | [[Category:United States Government]] | ||
| + | [[Category:United States Senate]] | ||
| + | [[Category:United States House of Representatives]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Washington, DC]] | ||
Latest revision as of 03:08, January 14, 2024
Congress (Congress of the United States) (a word derived from the Latin "congressum", from "congredior", meaning "to come together") is the term for the legislative body of the United States of America, composed of the House of Representatives and Senate. In the current 118th Congress (2023-24), the House is controlled by the Republican Party and the Senate is controlled by the Democrat Party. The reelection rate for congressional incumbents is absurdly high, typically over 90%, despite persistently rock-bottom low approval ratings, typically around 20%.
Contents
Powers
The powers of Congress, called the Delegated Powers are detailed in Article I, section eight. Congress is vested with the power to impose and collect taxes, to borrow and coin money, and to regulate foreign trade and interstate commerce. Congress is also responsible to create post offices and federal courts, maintain the Army and Navy, and admit new states into the union. Additionally, Congress can propose amendments to the Constitution. The Necessary and Proper Clause grants Congress all other powers necessary to carry out its duties.[1]
Origin
The Congress of the United States was created in the first article of the Constitution.[2] Most historians agree that the bicameral system within Congress is derived from the English Parliament.
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.
The basis of these two components come from James Madison's Virginia Plan and William Patterson's New Jersey Plan. During the Philadelphia Convention in 1787, Madison's Virginia Plan called for two houses both of which would be represent each state based on its population. Smaller states took issue with this, as the provision was highly favorable to Virginia. Thus, William Patterson proposed the New Jersey Plan - which called for one house that represented each stated with a single vote. Eventually the Connecticut delegates proposed the Connecticut Compromise - which called for two houses, the upper of which would represent each state equally, and the lower of which would represent each state according to population.[3]
Congressmen in the White House
Thirty-three members of Congress have gone on to become President of the United States, the vast majority of which were Republican members.[4] Among those who ascended to the White House are:
Benefits
Notable Members
- Larry McDonald, a passenger on Korean Airlines Flight 007 shot down by the Soviets on Sept. 1, 1983, the only congressman reported killed by the Soviets during the Cold War
- Senator Hiram Revels of Mississippi and Representative Joseph Rainey of South Carolina became the first African American members of Congress in 1870.[5]
- Republican Florence Prag Kahn was the first Jewish woman and first widow elected to Congress[6]
- William Jennings Bryan, four-time presidential candidate, best known as the prosecutor in the 1920 Scopes Monkey Trial
Quotations
| “ | There is no distinctly American criminal class, except Congress | ” |
-- Mark Twain
| “ | Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself. | ” |
-- Mark Twain
References
Boyer, Paul, Clifford Clark, Jr., Nancy Woloch, Neal Salisbury, and Harvard Sitkoff. The Enduring Vision. 5th. New York: Charles Hartford,
Notes
- ↑ U.S. Government and Politics
- ↑ http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articlei.html#section1
- ↑ Boyer, 187
- ↑ http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/mem_bio/mem_pres.html
- ↑ http://baic.house.gov/
- ↑ http://florencekahn.clerk.house.gov/
