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What Is Congress? What Was?: Discover the History, Powers, and Impact of the United States Congress

Edward Bell

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Published in What Is Congress? (What Was?)

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The United States Congress is a bicameral legislature that serves as the lawmaking body of the federal government of the United States. It is composed of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 100 members, two from each state, while the House of Representatives has 435 members, apportioned among the states based on population. Congress is responsible for making laws, declaring war, and approving treaties. It also has the power to impeach the President and other high-ranking officials.

What Is Congress? (What Was?)

by Jill Abramson

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The history of Congress dates back to the First Continental Congress, which was held in Philadelphia in 1774. This meeting was attended by delegates from twelve of the thirteen American colonies. The First Continental Congress adopted a Declaration of Rights and Grievances, which outlined the colonists' complaints against the British government. It also created the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its commander-in-chief.

The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia from 1775 to 1789. This Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It also created the Articles of Confederation, which established a loose confederation of states. The Articles of Confederation were ratified by all thirteen states in 1781.

The Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation. The Convention drafted a new Constitution, which was ratified by all thirteen states in 1788. The Constitution established a new federal government, with three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The legislative branch was composed of Congress.

Congress has played a major role in American history. It has passed laws that have shaped the nation's economy, society, and foreign policy. Congress has also declared war on several occasions, including the War of 1812, the Spanish-American War, and the Second World War.

Congress is a complex and powerful institution. It is responsible for making laws that affect the lives of all Americans. It is also responsible for overseeing the executive branch and the judicial branch. Congress is a vital part of the American system of government.

The Powers of Congress

Congress has a wide range of powers, including the power to:

Make laws
Declare war
Approve treaties
Impeach the President and other high-ranking officials
Control the budget
Oversee the executive branch
Oversee the judicial branch

Congress's most important power is the power to make laws. Laws passed by Congress have the force of law and must be obeyed by all Americans. Congress also has the power to declare war. This power has been used relatively infrequently, but it has been used to declare war on some of the most important conflicts in American history, including the War of 1812, the Spanish-American War, and the Second World War.

Congress also has the power to approve treaties. Treaties are agreements between the United States and other countries. Treaties are not binding on the United States until they are approved by Congress.

Congress has the power to impeach the President and other high-ranking officials. Impeachment is a process by which Congress can remove a President or other high-ranking official from office. Impeachment is a serious process and has only been used a handful of times in American history.

Congress also has the power to control the budget. The budget is a plan for how the federal government will spend money. Congress must approve the budget before it can become law.

Congress also has the power to oversee the executive branch. The executive branch is responsible for carrying out the laws passed by Congress. Congress can oversee the executive branch through hearings, investigations, and other means.

Congress also has the power to oversee the judicial branch. The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the laws passed by Congress. Congress can oversee the judicial branch through hearings, investigations, and other means.

The Impact of Congress

Congress has a major impact on the lives of all Americans. The laws passed by Congress shape the nation's economy, society, and foreign policy. Congress also plays a major role in overseeing the executive branch and the judicial branch.

Congress's impact on the economy is significant. The laws passed by Congress affect everything from taxes to trade to financial regulation. Congress also has a major impact on the nation's social policies. The laws passed by Congress affect everything from education to healthcare to civil rights.

Congress's impact on foreign policy is also significant. The laws passed by Congress affect everything from trade to diplomacy to military action. Congress also has a major role in overseeing the executive branch's conduct of foreign policy.

Congress is one of the most important institutions in the United States. It is responsible for making laws, declaring war, and approving treaties. It also has the power to impeach the President and other high-ranking officials. Congress plays a major role in shaping the nation's economy, society, and foreign policy. It is a vital part of the American system of government.

If you want to learn more about Congress, I encourage you to read this book. It is a comprehensive guide to the history, powers, and impact of Congress. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the American system of government.

What Is Congress? (What Was?)

by Jill Abramson

4.4 out of 5