Congress

Definition

Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government, which means it's the group of elected officials responsible for making laws. It is made up of two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Examples

• Congress meets in Washington D.C. to debate and pass new laws for the country.
• Your state has people called representatives and senators who serve in Congress.

Why it Matters for Civic Life

Congress is where the ideas for new laws are discussed, changed, and voted on. It represents the will of the people because its members are elected by citizens from all over the country to speak for them.

Fun Fact!

The U.S. Congress has 535 voting members: 100 senators (two from each state) and 435 representatives (based on each state's population).