What is Congress?

• A. The national executive body
• B. The national legislature of the U.S., consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate
• C. The Supreme Court
• D. The cabinet of the President

Answer: (B)

Congress is the national lawmaking body of the United States, the legislative branch. It has two houses: the House of Representatives, whose members reflect the population of each state, and the Senate, where every state has two senators. Congress writes and passes laws, controls the budget, and has powers like declaring war and approving treaties (the latter requires Senate consent). A bill becomes law only after both houses approve it and the President signs it, or Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses. This structure keeps lawmaking separate from the President and the courts, which are the executive and judicial branches, respectively.