Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

140

THE POWER TO MAKE LAWS in the United States rests with Congress, the

legislative branch of the federal government. Established by the Constitution

in 1787, Congress is split into two houses, the Senate and the House of

Representatives, with about equal powers. The Senate consists of 100 members,

two from each of the 50 states. The House has 435 members; the number of

members from each state is based on that state’s population. Although

lawmaking is the chief duty of Congress, its members also control

government taxing and spending, regulate interstate and international

trade, maintain the armed forces, and even declare war. The two largest

political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, control Congress.

The party with the most members is the majority party; the other is the

minority party. The majority party takes charge of all the congressional

committees, where most of the daily work of government is done.

THE NATION’S VOICE

Each member of Congress

represents many citizens, but

Congress has not always reflected

the diversity of the people. The

first female senator, Rebecca

Felton, was appointed in 1922;

ten years later, Hattie Caraway

became the first woman

elected to the office. Today

many women and members

of minority groups hold key

congressional seats.

THE NATION’S LAWMAKERS

The Constitution established the framework

of Congress and gave it the power to make
laws. Its bicameral (two-house) system was

created as a compromise between the
leaders of small states, who wanted equal

representation, and those of large states,
who argued for representation based on

population. A new Congress meets every
two years, after voters have elected all of the

representatives and one-third of the senators.

Kentucky congressman Henry Clay was

Speaker of the House from 1811-25.

Rebecca Felton

was the first female

senator in 1922.

HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW

Any citizen can propose a law, but all bills

must be formally introduced by members

of Congress. Each bill is sent to a

committee that deals with the business

of the bill. If the committee decides to go

ahead, a public hearing is held to debate

each bill. The sponsors and supporters of

a bill often lobby other members to gain

their support. Through bargaining and

compromise, a bill might eventually reach

the floor for a vote. Once the House and

Senate have both voted to pass the bill,

the president has 10 days to either make it

a law or return the bill to Congress.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Each state is divided into congressional

districts of about equal population. The

members of the House are elected from

these districts, for two-year terms. The head

of the House, the Speaker, is one of the most

powerful people in Congress. The Speaker

assigns bills to committees, and gives

members the right to speak during debates.

Edward Kennedy (1932-

2009), a Massachusetts

senator from 1962-2009,

campaigns for office.

President

Roosevelt

signs a bill.

SENATE

Each of the 50 states, regardless

of its size and population, has

two senators. Senators are

elected for six-year terms of

office. The vice president is

the presiding officer of the

Senate. The Constitution

gives the Senate the power to

approve or reject presidential

appointments to important

government jobs. Senators

must also approve treaties by

a two-thirds majority.

A cast-iron
dome tops the
the Capitol
building.

Constitution

Political parties

Presidency

Find out more

Congress

THE CAPITOL
For two centuries, the Senate and
the House have met inside the Capitol,
in Washington, D.C. Each group meets
separately, except for special joint sessions
held in the larger House chamber.