US Government & Politics · Module 2 of 7
Congress
The structure and powers of the House and Senate, how a bill becomes law, and how members represent their constituents.
House vs. Senate
- House: 435 members, two-year terms, seats apportioned by population. Revenue bills must start in the House, and it impeaches (brings charges).
- Senate: 100 members (two per state), six-year terms. It confirms presidential appointments, ratifies treaties by a two-thirds vote, and holds impeachment trials.
- Congress's enumerated powers (Article I, Section 8) include taxing, borrowing, regulating interstate commerce, and declaring war. The Necessary and Proper Clause supports implied powers.
Why is the Senate often described as more deliberative than the House?
Solution. Longer terms insulate senators from short-term public pressure, and Senate rules such as unlimited debate (the filibuster) slow action. The House is larger and runs on strict rules set by its Rules Committee.
How a Bill Becomes Law
- A bill is introduced, sent to committee (where most bills die), debated and passed by each chamber in identical form (a conference committee can reconcile differences), then signed or vetoed by the president.
- Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses.
- In the Senate, a filibuster can block a vote unless 60 senators vote for cloture. In the House, the Rules Committee sets the terms of debate.
A bill passes both chambers but the president vetoes it. What can Congress do?
Solution. Override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. If it cannot, the bill dies.
Representation, Redistricting & Gridlock
- Role models: a delegate votes as constituents want, a trustee uses personal judgment, and a politico mixes the two depending on the issue.
- After each census, district lines are redrawn. Gerrymandering draws them for partisan advantage. Baker v. Carr (1962) held that redistricting disputes can be decided by federal courts (leading to "one person, one vote"). Shaw v. Reno (1993) held that districts drawn mainly by race face strict scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause.
- Divided government (different parties controlling Congress and the presidency) and partisan polarization often produce gridlock.
A representative votes for a bill most of her constituents oppose, because she believes it serves the nation. Which model is she following?
Solution. The trustee model: she relies on her own judgment rather than her constituents' preferences.
Check yourself
2 of this module's 5 quiz questions. Pick your answers, then check them in the app, with an explanation for every question.
1. Which power belongs only to the Senate?
2. How many senators must vote for cloture to end a filibuster?