The U.S. Congress is the supreme legislative body of the United States, which, along with the executive (the President of the United States) and judicial (the Supreme Court of the United States) branches of government, forms the federal government of the United States.
The powers of Congress are stipulated by Article I of the U.S. Constitution (and amendments to the Constitution). Specifically, Congress has the power to:
Establish the fiscal and budgetary policies of the United States;
set and levy taxes, levies, duties, and excise taxes;
declare war, provide for the defense and general welfare of the country;
admit new states to the United States;
regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states;
Establish courts inferior to the Supreme Court;
issue the national currency;
establish a uniform system of measures;
create an armed force;
issue patents;
organize the postal service, and many others.
The U.S. Congress also has the power “to make such laws as are necessary and proper to carry into execution the powers enumerated above [in the U.S. Constitution], and such other powers as this Constitution defines for the Government of the United States.
In addition, the jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress includes governing the District of Columbia, in which the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C., is located.
Congress has the power to conduct a special procedure (impeachment) which can result in the removal of the President of the United States or a Supreme Court justice.
At the same time, the power of Congress, as well as of other branches of the U.S. government, is not unlimited. Congress cannot, according to the Constitution, enact laws with retroactive effect, repeal (except in cases of threat to public safety) the Habeas Corpus (presumption of innocence), or grant titles of nobility. There are also other restrictions.
A law passed by Congress does not go into effect until signed by the President of the United States. If the President uses the veto, however, Congress must receive at least a two-thirds vote in both houses to override it.
Article I of the U.S. Constitution also states that the U.S. Congress consists of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Senate ensures that all U.S. states are equally represented in the highest legislative body of the country. The House of Representatives provides representation in proportion to the population of a particular state.
To be elected to Congress, a candidate must meet several prerequisites stipulated by the U.S. Constitution.
To ensure the efficient operation of Congress, committees are created to focus on specific areas of activity (agriculture committee; foreign affairs committee, etc.). Committees can be standing or ad hoc. Ad hoc committees are usually established to deal with an issue outside the competence of the standing committees or to conduct an investigation. Committees may create even more specialized subcommittees.
Congress also includes a number of auxiliary services. The best known of these is probably the Library of Congress (established in 1800, it is considered the largest library in the world). The Congressional Research Service analyzes bills, conducts consultations, public hearings and various surveys for U.S. lawmakers. The Congressional Budget Office monitors the implementation of the nation’s budget.
A characteristic feature of the U.S. Congress is “lobbying,” that is, influencing members of Congress by certain interest groups in order to pass legislation.
The seat of the U.S. Congress is the Capitol in Washington, D.C. It is forbidden by the U.S. Constitution to meet anywhere else.