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==History==
==History==
{{Main|History of the United States Congress}}
===18th century===
===18th century===
[[File:Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States.jpg|thumb|The 1940 portrait ''[[Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States]]'', depicting [[George Washington]] presiding over the signing of the [[Constitution of the United States]]]]
The [[First Continental Congress]] was a gathering of representatives from twelve of the [[Thirteen Colonies]].<ref name="kramnick">{{cite book |editor=Kramnick, Isaac|author= Thomas Paine |title=Common Sense |publisher=Penguin Classics |year=1982 |page=21}}</ref> On July 4, 1776, the [[Second Continental Congress]] adopted the [[Declaration of Independence of the United States|Declaration of Independence]], referring to the new nation as the "United States of America". The [[Articles of Confederation]] in 1781 created the [[Congress of the Confederation]], a [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] body with equal representation among the states in which each state had a [[veto]] over most decisions. Congress had executive but not legislative authority, and the federal judiciary was confined to admiralty<ref name=WeaknessArticlesConfederation>{{cite news | title = References about weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation}}*{{cite news|author=Pauline Maier (book reviewer)|title=History – The Framers' Real Motives (book review) Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution book by Woody Holton|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 18, 2007|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502145.html|access-date=October 10, 2009|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214438/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502145.html|url-status=live}}*{{cite web|title = The Constitution and the Idea of Compromise|publisher = PBS|date = October 10, 2009|url = https://www.pbs.org/georgewashington/classroom/index2.html|access-date = October 10, 2009|archive-date = January 14, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214452/https://www.pbs.org/retired-site/|url-status = live}}*{{cite news|author = Alexander Hamilton|title = Federalist No. 15 – The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union|publisher = FoundingFathers.info|year = 1788|url = http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/fed15.htm|access-date = October 10, 2009|archive-date = January 14, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214331/http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/fed15.htm|url-status = live}}</ref> and lacked authority to collect taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce laws.<ref name="english-p5-6">English (2003), pp. 5–6</ref><ref>Collier (1986), p. 5</ref>
The [[First Continental Congress]] was a gathering of representatives from twelve of the [[Thirteen Colonies]].<ref name="kramnick">{{cite book |editor=Kramnick, Isaac|author= Thomas Paine |title=Common Sense |publisher=Penguin Classics |year=1982 |page=21}}</ref> On July 4, 1776, the [[Second Continental Congress]] adopted the [[Declaration of Independence of the United States|Declaration of Independence]], referring to the new nation as the "United States of America". The [[Articles of Confederation]] in 1781 created the [[Congress of the Confederation]], a [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] body with equal representation among the states in which each state had a [[veto]] over most decisions. Congress had executive but not legislative authority, and the federal judiciary was confined to admiralty<ref name=WeaknessArticlesConfederation>{{cite news | title = References about weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation}}*{{cite news|author=Pauline Maier (book reviewer)|title=History – The Framers' Real Motives (book review) Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution book by Woody Holton|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 18, 2007|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502145.html|access-date=October 10, 2009|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214438/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502145.html|url-status=live}}*{{cite web|title = The Constitution and the Idea of Compromise|publisher = PBS|date = October 10, 2009|url = https://www.pbs.org/georgewashington/classroom/index2.html|access-date = October 10, 2009|archive-date = January 14, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214452/https://www.pbs.org/retired-site/|url-status = live}}*{{cite news|author = Alexander Hamilton|title = Federalist No. 15 – The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union|publisher = FoundingFathers.info|year = 1788|url = http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/fed15.htm|access-date = October 10, 2009|archive-date = January 14, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214331/http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/fed15.htm|url-status = live}}</ref> and lacked authority to collect taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce laws.<ref name="english-p5-6">English (2003), pp. 5–6</ref><ref>Collier (1986), p. 5</ref>


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====Overview====
====Overview====
[[File:USCurrency Federal Reserve.jpg|thumb|alt=$100,000-dollar bill.|Congress's [[power of the purse]], which authorizes it to tax citizens, spend money, and print currency]]
[[File:USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) underway in the Gulf of Tonkin on 2 November 1964.jpg|thumb| alt=Aircraft carrier at sea.|Congress authorizes defense spending, such as the purchase of the [[USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31)|USS ''Bon Homme Richard'' (CV-31)]]]]
[[File:ThompsonWatergate.jpg|thumb|alt=Seated suits behind a microphone.|The [[Senate Watergate Committee]], investigating President [[Richard Nixon|Nixon]] and the [[Watergate scandal]] from 1973 to 1974]]
[[Article One of the United States Constitution|Article One of the Constitution]] creates and sets forth the structure and most of the powers of Congress. Sections One through Six describe how Congress is elected and gives each House the power to create its own structure. Section Seven lays out the process for creating laws, and Section Eight enumerates numerous powers. Section Nine is a list of powers Congress does not have, and Section Ten enumerates powers of the state, some of which may only be granted by Congress.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Epps|first1=Garrett|title=American Epic: Reading the U.S. Constitution |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=af8TDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA9 |date=2013|publisher=Oxford|location=New York|isbn=978-0-19-938971-1|page=9}}</ref> [[Constitutional amendment]]s have granted Congress additional powers. Congress also has [[implied powers]] derived from the Constitution's [[Necessary and Proper Clause]].
[[Article One of the United States Constitution|Article One of the Constitution]] creates and sets forth the structure and most of the powers of Congress. Sections One through Six describe how Congress is elected and gives each House the power to create its own structure. Section Seven lays out the process for creating laws, and Section Eight enumerates numerous powers. Section Nine is a list of powers Congress does not have, and Section Ten enumerates powers of the state, some of which may only be granted by Congress.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Epps|first1=Garrett|title=American Epic: Reading the U.S. Constitution |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=af8TDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA9 |date=2013|publisher=Oxford|location=New York|isbn=978-0-19-938971-1|page=9}}</ref> [[Constitutional amendment]]s have granted Congress additional powers. Congress also has [[implied powers]] derived from the Constitution's [[Necessary and Proper Clause]].


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===Checks and balances===
===Checks and balances===
{{Main|U.S. Congress in relation to the president and Supreme Court}}
{{Main|U.S. Congress in relation to the president and Supreme Court}}
[[File:United States Capitol seen from the United States Supreme Court, Washington, DC - 20080326.jpg|thumb|The [[United States Capitol]] seen from the [[United States Supreme Court building]]]]
[[File:Senate in session.jpg|thumb|The [[Impeachment trial of Bill Clinton|impeachment trial of President Clinton]] in 1999, presided over by [[William H. Rehnquist|Chief Justice William Rehnquist]]]]
Representative [[Lee H. Hamilton]] explained how Congress functions within the federal government:
Representative [[Lee H. Hamilton]] explained how Congress functions within the federal government:


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===Committees===
===Committees===
{{Main|United States congressional committee}}
{{Main|United States congressional committee}}
[[File:Congress Hall committee room 2.jpg|thumb|alt=Photo of a table with chairs.|The second committee room at [[Congress Hall]] in [[Philadelphia]]]]
[[File:The United States Legislative Process - Committee Consideration (3) - Library of Congress.webm|thumb|A [[Library of Congress]] video explaining the committees of the United States Congress]]
====Specializations====
====Specializations====
The committee structure permits members of Congress to study a particular subject intensely. It is neither expected nor possible that a member be an expert on all subject areas before Congress.<ref name="english-46">English (2003), pp. 46–47</ref> As time goes by, members develop expertise in particular subjects and their legal aspects. [[United States congressional committee|Committees]] investigate specialized subjects and advise the entire Congress about choices and trade-offs. The choice of specialty may be influenced by the member's constituency, important regional issues, prior background and experience.<ref>English, p. 46</ref> Senators often choose a different specialty from that of the other senator from their state to prevent overlap.<ref>{{cite book |author=Schiller, Wendy J. |title=Partners and Rivals: Representation in U.S. Senate Delegations |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=2000 |isbn=0-691-04887-8}}</ref> Some committees specialize in running the business of other committees and exert a powerful influence over all legislation; for example, the [[House Ways and Means Committee]] has considerable influence over House affairs.<ref name=tws2010Sep11ff511234>{{cite news |title= Committees |publisher= U.S. Senate |year= 2010 |url= https://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/committees/d_three_sections_with_teasers/committees_home.htm |access-date= September 12, 2010 |archive-date= January 14, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214410/https://www.senate.gov/committees/index.htm |url-status= live }}</ref>
The committee structure permits members of Congress to study a particular subject intensely. It is neither expected nor possible that a member be an expert on all subject areas before Congress.<ref name="english-46">English (2003), pp. 46–47</ref> As time goes by, members develop expertise in particular subjects and their legal aspects. [[United States congressional committee|Committees]] investigate specialized subjects and advise the entire Congress about choices and trade-offs. The choice of specialty may be influenced by the member's constituency, important regional issues, prior background and experience.<ref>English, p. 46</ref> Senators often choose a different specialty from that of the other senator from their state to prevent overlap.<ref>{{cite book |author=Schiller, Wendy J. |title=Partners and Rivals: Representation in U.S. Senate Delegations |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=2000 |isbn=0-691-04887-8}}</ref> Some committees specialize in running the business of other committees and exert a powerful influence over all legislation; for example, the [[House Ways and Means Committee]] has considerable influence over House affairs.<ref name=tws2010Sep11ff511234>{{cite news |title= Committees |publisher= U.S. Senate |year= 2010 |url= https://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/committees/d_three_sections_with_teasers/committees_home.htm |access-date= September 12, 2010 |archive-date= January 14, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214410/https://www.senate.gov/committees/index.htm |url-status= live }}</ref>
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===Bills and resolutions===
===Bills and resolutions===
{{See also|Act of Congress|List of United States federal legislation}}
{{See also|Act of Congress|List of United States federal legislation}}
[[File:Private Law 86-407.jpg|thumb|An [[Act of Congress]] from 1960]]
[[File:US House Committee.jpg|thumb|The [[United States House Committee on Financial Services|U.S. Committee on Financial Services]] with committee members sitting in the tiers of raised chairs and those testifying and audience members sitting below]]
Ideas for legislation can come from members, lobbyists, state legislatures, constituents, legislative counsel, or executive agencies. Anyone can write a bill, but only members of Congress may introduce bills. Most bills are not written by Congress members, but originate from the Executive branch; interest groups often draft bills as well. The usual next step is for the proposal to be passed to a committee for review.<ref name=tws2010Sep11bb/> A proposal is usually in one of these forms:
Ideas for legislation can come from members, lobbyists, state legislatures, constituents, legislative counsel, or executive agencies. Anyone can write a bill, but only members of Congress may introduce bills. Most bills are not written by Congress members, but originate from the Executive branch; interest groups often draft bills as well. The usual next step is for the proposal to be passed to a committee for review.<ref name=tws2010Sep11bb/> A proposal is usually in one of these forms:


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===Advantage of incumbency===
===Advantage of incumbency===
====Citizens and representatives====
====Citizens and representatives====
[[File:Ĝerimandrado.svg|thumb|alt=two boxes with red dots and blue dots.|In this example, the more even distribution is on the left and the gerrymandering is presented on the right.]]
Senators face reelection every six years, and representatives every two. Reelections encourage candidates to focus their publicity efforts at their home states or districts.<ref name=tws2010Sep11t14dd1/> Running for reelection can be a grueling process of distant travel and fund-raising which distracts senators and representatives from paying attention to governing, according to some critics.<ref name=twsSEPnn876>{{cite news| author = Larry J. Sabato| title = An amendment is needed to fix the primary mess| newspaper = USA Today| date = September 26, 2007| url = https://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070926/opcomwednesday.art.htm| access-date = September 20, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214410/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070926/opcomwednesday.art.htm| url-status = live}}</ref> Although others respond that the process is necessary to keep members of Congress in touch with voters.
Senators face reelection every six years, and representatives every two. Reelections encourage candidates to focus their publicity efforts at their home states or districts.<ref name=tws2010Sep11t14dd1/> Running for reelection can be a grueling process of distant travel and fund-raising which distracts senators and representatives from paying attention to governing, according to some critics.<ref name=twsSEPnn876>{{cite news| author = Larry J. Sabato| title = An amendment is needed to fix the primary mess| newspaper = USA Today| date = September 26, 2007| url = https://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070926/opcomwednesday.art.htm| access-date = September 20, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214410/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070926/opcomwednesday.art.htm| url-status = live}}</ref> Although others respond that the process is necessary to keep members of Congress in touch with voters.


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====Perceptions====
====Perceptions====
[[File:An Advertisement of The Federalist - Project Gutenberg eText 16960.jpg|thumb|alt=Ad for the Federalist.|''[[The Federalist Papers]]'', which argued in favor of a strong connection between citizens and their representatives]]
Prominent [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Fathers]], writing in ''[[The Federalist Papers]]'', felt that elections were essential to liberty, that a bond between the people and the representatives was particularly essential,<ref name=tws01oct>{{cite news| author = Alexander Hamilton or James Madison| title = The Federalist Paper No. 52| date = February 8, 1788| url = http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Federalist_(Dawson)/52| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214447/https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Federalist_%28Dawson%29/52| url-status = live}}</ref> and that "frequent elections are unquestionably the only policy by which this dependence and sympathy can be effectually secured."<ref name="tws01oct"/> In 2009, few Americans were familiar with leaders of Congress.<ref name=tws01oct01>{{cite news| title = Congress' Approval Rating at Lowest Point for Year| work = Reuters| date = September 2, 2009| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS95973+02-Sep-2009+BW20090902| access-date = October 1, 2009|url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090905170136/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS95973+02-Sep-2009+BW20090902| archive-date = September 5, 2009| df = mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=tws01oct06>{{cite news| title = The Congress: Makings of the 72nd (Cont.)| newspaper = Time| date = September 22, 1930| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740313,00.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = August 27, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130827230254/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740313,00.html| url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name=tws01oct18>{{cite news| author = Jonathan Peterson| title = Confident Clinton Lends Hand to Congress Candidates| newspaper = Los Angeles Times| date = October 21, 1996| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-21-mn-56229-story.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214433/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-21-mn-56229-story.html| url-status = live}}</ref> The percentage of Americans eligible to vote who did, in fact, vote was 63% in 1960, but has been falling since, although there was a slight upward trend in the 2008 election.<ref name=DCMacnutsSuperCoolTool05>{{cite news | title = References about diffname}}
Prominent [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Fathers]], writing in ''[[The Federalist Papers]]'', felt that elections were essential to liberty, that a bond between the people and the representatives was particularly essential,<ref name=tws01oct>{{cite news| author = Alexander Hamilton or James Madison| title = The Federalist Paper No. 52| date = February 8, 1788| url = http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Federalist_(Dawson)/52| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214447/https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Federalist_%28Dawson%29/52| url-status = live}}</ref> and that "frequent elections are unquestionably the only policy by which this dependence and sympathy can be effectually secured."<ref name="tws01oct"/> In 2009, few Americans were familiar with leaders of Congress.<ref name=tws01oct01>{{cite news| title = Congress' Approval Rating at Lowest Point for Year| work = Reuters| date = September 2, 2009| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS95973+02-Sep-2009+BW20090902| access-date = October 1, 2009|url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090905170136/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS95973+02-Sep-2009+BW20090902| archive-date = September 5, 2009| df = mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=tws01oct06>{{cite news| title = The Congress: Makings of the 72nd (Cont.)| newspaper = Time| date = September 22, 1930| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740313,00.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = August 27, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130827230254/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740313,00.html| url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name=tws01oct18>{{cite news| author = Jonathan Peterson| title = Confident Clinton Lends Hand to Congress Candidates| newspaper = Los Angeles Times| date = October 21, 1996| url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-21-mn-56229-story.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = January 14, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114214433/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-21-mn-56229-story.html| url-status = live}}</ref> The percentage of Americans eligible to vote who did, in fact, vote was 63% in 1960, but has been falling since, although there was a slight upward trend in the 2008 election.<ref name=DCMacnutsSuperCoolTool05>{{cite news | title = References about diffname}}
*{{cite news| title = The Congress: Makings of the 72nd (Cont.)| newspaper = Time| date = September 22, 1930| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740313,00.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = August 27, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130827230254/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740313,00.html| url-status = dead}}
*{{cite news| title = The Congress: Makings of the 72nd (Cont.)| newspaper = Time| date = September 22, 1930| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740313,00.html| access-date = October 1, 2009| archive-date = August 27, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130827230254/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740313,00.html| url-status = dead}}
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