— Ch. 1 · Foundations And Structure —
United States Congress.
~7 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
The United States Congress convened for the first time in 1789 within a building that would later become known as the Capitol. This bicameral legislature replaced the earlier Congress of the Confederation, which had struggled with weak authority and an inability to collect taxes or regulate commerce. The Constitution created two distinct chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Article One of the document vests all legislative powers in this new body. A total of 535 voting members make up Congress today, including 100 senators and 435 representatives. Six additional non-voting members represent territories like Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. Each state receives exactly two senators regardless of population size. The House allocates its 435 seats based on population counts from the decennial census. The Reapportionment Act of 1929 fixed the number of representatives at 435. Members must meet specific age and citizenship requirements before taking office. House candidates need to be at least 25 years old and citizens for seven years. Senators must be at least 30 years old and citizens for nine years. Political parties emerged early in the nation's history. Federalists and anti-federalists jostled for power during the formative era spanning the 1780s through the 1820s. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison formed the Democratic-Republican Party around 1790 to oppose Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. By the late 19th century, most members affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican party. Only rarely do third-party or independent candidates win seats.
Legislative Powers And Procedures
Congress writes laws through a complex process involving hundreds of committees and subcommittees. Ideas for legislation originate from members themselves, lobbyists, state legislatures, or executive agencies. Anyone can draft a bill but only members may introduce it formally. A House-originated bill begins with the letters H.R. followed by a unique number. Joint resolutions start with H.J.Res. while concurrent resolutions begin with H.Con.Res. Standing committees review each proposal intensely before it reaches the floor. The House Ways and Means Committee holds considerable influence over financial matters. Committees hold public hearings where witnesses testify for or against a measure. A mark-up session allows committee members to debate merits and offer amendments. If a bill passes one chamber, it moves to the other for similar scrutiny. Both houses must agree on identical versions before sending it to the president. The Senate relies heavily on unanimous consent for noncontroversial items unlike the House which uses electronic voting devices. Roll-call votes occur when one-fifth of present members demand a recorded tally. In the Senate, a clerk calls out names as senators shout aye or no. The vice president casts tie-breaking votes only when the Senate is equally divided. Most bills die in committee without ever reaching a full vote. Only about 4 percent of introduced bills become law annually. Lobbyists often write legislation and submit it directly to members for introduction. Drafting statutes requires great skill and sometimes takes a year or more to complete.