House of Representatives
Also referred to as a congressman or congresswoman, each representative is elected to a two-year term serving the people of a specific congressional district. Among other duties, representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees. The number of representatives with full voting rights is 435, a number set by Public Law 62-5 on August 8, 1911, and in effect since 1913. The number of representatives per state is proportionate to population.
House of Representatives Standing Committees
The House’s standing committees have different legislative jurisdictions. Each considers bills and issues and recommends measures for consideration by the House. Committees also have oversight responsibilities to monitor agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions, and in some cases in areas that cut across committee jurisdictions.
Senate
The Senate has 100 members: 2 senators for each state. The Constitution gives the Senate responsibility to ratify treaties, approve nominations from the Executive Branch, and pass legislation.
Senate Standing Committees
Through investigations and hearings, committees gather information on national and international problems within their jurisdiction in order to draft, consider, and recommend legislation to the full membership of the Senate. They evaluate presidential nominees for executive and judicial posts and provide oversight of federal government operations.
Congressional Publications
The various publications from the United States Congress mainly correspond with the steps involved with a Bill becoming a Law. Each step along the way has its own publication. Taken collectively, these publications constitute a history of the law.
