Describe The Structure And Makeup Of Congress
1st Describedefine The Structure And Make Up Of Cogress As The Centr
Describe/define the structure and make-up of Congress as the central institution of American government. Find an article preferably from The Wall Street Journal or The New York Times with a story about Congress. Describe how the article relates back to the description/definition given in the first paragraph. Use APA formatting. Cite all references. Reference the textbook: Sidlow, E. I. (2017). GOVT, 8th Edition. [South University]. Retrieved from.
Paper For Above instruction
The United States Congress serves as the primary legislative branch of American government, functioning as the central institution responsible for creating laws, representing constituents, and overseeing the executive branch. Comprising two chambers—the House of Representatives and the Senate—Congress embodies a bicameral structure designed to balance the interests of different states and populations. The House of Representatives is composed of 435 members apportioned based on each state's population, with representatives serving two-year terms. Its primary role is to initiate revenue bills and represent the populace directly. The Senate, consisting of 100 members with two senators from each state serving six-year terms, is tasked with ratifying treaties, confirming federal appointments, and providing advice and consent on legislation (Sidlow, 2017).
Congress is further characterized by its committee system, which allows members to specialize in specific policy areas, scrutinize legislation, and conduct investigations. Leadership in Congress includes the Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader, and other leadership positions that influence the legislative agenda and procedure. The structure and function of Congress are designed to ensure a system of checks and balances, fostering deliberation, accountability, and representation in the federal government.
Recently, an article from The New York Times discussed the ongoing debate over the filibuster rules in the Senate, highlighting efforts by some members to amend or eliminate the filibuster to pass legislation more efficiently. This article exemplifies the operational aspects of Congress described above, specifically the significance of Senate procedures in shaping legislative outcomes. The debate over the filibuster illustrates the role of Senate rules as part of its institutional structure, demonstrating how procedural rules can influence legislative effectiveness and political dynamics, aligning with the description of Congress’s bicameral and procedural nature (NY Times, 2024).
References
- Sidlow, E. I. (2017). GOVT, 8th Edition. South University. Retrieved from [insert URL]
- The New York Times. (2024). Senate debate over filibuster rules heats up. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/15/us/politics/senate-filibuster-debate.html