As per Article I of the Constitution of the United States of America all
legislative powers are vested in the Congress of the United States. The
American Congress is the bicameral legislative body. The Congress consists of
Senate (Upper House) and House of Representatives (Lower House). Its meeting
place is at the United States Capitol, Washington, D.C.
There are two elected Senators from each State making the total number
of Senators to be 100 in the Senate. The House of Representatives consists of
435 elected representatives that are divided among the 50 states in proportion
to their total population and are also known as Representatives.
The Congress has the authority to enact legislation i.e., make laws for
the people of U.S.A. Congress also has the right or power to confirm or reject
many Presidential appointments. In-order to pass a legislation it has to be
sent to the President for his signature after both the Houses pass the same
bill by majority vote.
The first step in the legislative process i.e., law making process is to
introduce the bill to the Congress and then there are various stages that the
bill has to go through in-order to become law. Congress can make new laws or
change existing laws whenever required for the welfare of the people. It also
conducts investigations to oversee the executive branch i.e., the branch that
implements or executes the law so that the law actually is in force among the
people.
