what is congress

The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is a bicameral institution, consisting of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives has 435 members, with each state represented based on its population, while the Senate has 100 members, with each state having two senators. Congress is responsible for enacting laws that influence the daily lives of all Americans and is intended to serve as the voice of the people. Its responsibilities include funding government functions and programs, holding hearings to inform the legislative process, and oversight of the executive branch. Congress is the only part of the government that can make new laws or change existing laws, and it is also empowered to enact laws deemed "necessary and proper" for the execution of the powers given to any part of the government under the Constitution. The laws Congress makes help Americans in various aspects of life, such as education, safety, and environmental protection. Congress meets in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and is an essential part of the federal governments legislative branch.