THE U.S. CONGRESS

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 488.

Ex.6. Study the description. Explain how the division of the three branches of power works in the USA.

The Congress of the United States is the legislative branch of the United States government. Congress is composed of two chambers with equal powers: the 100-member Senate and the 435-member House of Representatives. The primary duty of Congress is to write, debate, and pass bills (proposed laws), which are then passed on to the president for approval. Other congressional duties include investigating national issues, supervising the executive and judicial branches, and shaping U.S. foreign policy.

The Constitution of the United States grants Congress “all legislative powers” in the national government. Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution lists a wide range of congressional powers, including printing money, maintaining a military force, declaring war, and regulating interstate and foreign commerce. Congress also controls federal taxing and spending policies — one of the most important sources of power in the government.

One of the most important powers is Congress's authority to investigate and oversee the executive branch and its agencies, such as the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice. Congress also holds hearings on matters of general public concern. Sometimes members of Congress conduct these hearings to identify problems that create a need for new laws. In other cases Congress holds hearings to raise public awarenessabout an issue. Sometimes members of Congress conduct hearings in an effort to improve their reputations and their election prospects.

Congress shares many powers with the president. Congress takes equalresponsibility with the president in framing U.S. foreign policy. The president and his representatives negotiatetreaties with other countries, but the treaties go into effect only when the Senate approves them. Similarly, the president appoints ambassadors, federal judges, and many other government officials, but they must be confirmedby the Senate.