Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government that represents the American people and makes the nation’s laws. It shares power with the executive branch, led by the president, and the judicial branch, whose highest body is the Supreme Court of the United States.

Through legislative debate and compromise, the U.S. Congress makes laws that influence our daily lives. It holds hearings to inform the legislative process, conducts investigations to oversee the executive branch, and serves as the voice of the people and the states in the federal government.

Congress is divided into two institutions: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The two houses of Congress have equal but unique roles in the federal government. While they share legislative responsibilities, each house also has special constitutional duties and powers.

The most important powers include the power to tax, to borrow money, to regulate commerce and currency, to declare war, and to raise armies and maintain the navy. These powers give Congress the authority to set policy on the most basic matters of war and peace.

Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war.

The Congress is composed of two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Its powers are listed in the enumerated powers, in Article I, Section 8. The executive branch consists of the president and vice president, the president’s cabinet, and various other regulatory agencies that enforce laws.

structure and its language, the Constitution expressed six basic principles of governing. These principles are popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, and federalism.

How is the judiciary structured and what are its powers? The judiciary consists of a Supreme Court and state courts. Each branch has governmental powers that are unique to them. Congress can pass bills, President can sign them into law, judiciary (Supreme Court) can rule the law unconstitutional.

The Constitution has three main functions. First it creates a national government consisting of a legislative, an executive, and a judicial branch, with a system of checks and balances among the three branches. Second, it divides power between the federal government and the states.

The Principles Underlying the Constitution Federalism aside, three key principles are the crux of the Constitution: separation of powers, checks and balances, and bicameralism.