Question

Discuss the features of the U.S. Congress.

Answer 1

• The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• The House of Representatives is the directly elected lower house with a strength of 435 members.
• Members are elected through single-member constituencies using a simple majority vote for a two-year term.
• To contest, a person must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen with 7 years’ residence, and not hold an office of profit.
• The House elects its own Speaker, who presides over its sessions.
• The Senate is the upper house representing the states of the federation, with each state sending two members.
• The total strength of the Senate is 100 members, and each Senator has a six-year term, with one-third retiring every two years.
• The Senate ensures equal representation for all states regardless of size.
• The Vice-President of the U.S. is the ex-officio Chairman of the Senate.
• The Senate is considered stronger than the House of Representatives and has special powers to act as a check on the executive.