"A legislature is an assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country, nation or city."
Gain an understanding of the legislative branch's role and powers, including how laws are made and the checks and balances in place.
The Constitution and the Powers of Congress: This topic focuses on the foundational document that outlines the powers of the legislative branch and how those powers are exercised.
Congress and Its Members: This topic deals with the composition of Congress, including the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the various roles and responsibilities of members, such as committees and parties.
The Legislative Process: This topic explores the process by which a bill becomes a law, including the various steps and procedures that must be followed.
The Budget and Appropriations Process: This topic delves into the intricacies of the budget process and the role that Congress plays in crafting and implementing it.
Legislative Oversight: This topic concerns the ability of Congress to oversee and investigate the actions of the executive branch and other government agencies.
Lobbying and Interest Groups: This topic examines the impact of lobbying and interest groups on the legislative process and how they attempt to influence Congress.
Congressional Ethics and Standards: This topic deals with the various rules and standards that govern the ethics and conduct of members of Congress.
Congress and the Media: This topic explores the relationship between Congress and the media, including how lawmakers can use the media to influence public opinion.
Congress and Public Opinion: This topic concerns how public opinion can impact the legislative process and how lawmakers respond to the views of their constituents.
Congressional Procedures and Rules: This topic examines the rules and procedures that govern how Congress operates, including voting procedures, committee assignments, and parliamentary rules.
Congressional Leadership: This topic concerns the various leadership positions within Congress, including the Speaker of the House, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Committee Chairs.
Congressional Elections: This topic explores the electoral process that determines who becomes a member of Congress and how incumbents can maintain their position.
Congressional History: This topic concerns the rich history of Congress and how it has evolved over time, including the development of the committee system and changes in the balance of power between the branches of government.
Congress: The legislative branch of the federal government responsible for creating and passing laws.
Senate: One of the two chambers of Congress with 100 members, two from each state.
House of Representatives: The other chamber of Congress with 435 members, proportional to the population of each state.
Speaker of the House: The leader of the House of Representatives, elected by the members.
Majority leader: The leader of the party with the most members in the House or Senate.
Minority leader: The leader of the party with the second-most members in the House or Senate.
Congressional committee: A group of lawmakers responsible for researching and crafting legislation on a certain topic.
Joint committee: A committee with members from both the House and Senate.
Conference committee: A committee formed to reconcile differences in a bill passed by both the House and Senate.
Subcommittee: A smaller division of a committee responsible for researching and analyzing a specific aspect of a bill.
Committee chairperson: The leader of a committee responsible for organizing and coordinating the committee's work.
Congressional caucus: A group of lawmakers who share a common interest or goal and work together to promote their agenda.
Congressional whip: A member of Congress responsible for counting votes and persuading members to support a particular bill or position.
"Laws enacted by legislatures are usually known as primary legislation."
"Legislatures may observe and steer governing actions, with authority to amend the budget involved."
"The members of a legislature are called legislators."
"In a democracy, legislators are most commonly popularly elected."
"Indirect election and appointment by the executive are also used, particularly for bicameral legislatures featuring an upper house."
"They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial powers of government."
"A legislature is an assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country, nation or city."
"They have the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country, nation or city."
"Legislatures may observe and steer governing actions, with authority to amend the budget involved."
"Laws enacted by legislatures are usually known as primary legislation."
"They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial powers of government."
"They are particularly used for bicameral legislatures featuring an upper house."
"The members of a legislature are called legislators."
"Indirect election and appointment by the executive are also used."
"Legislatures may observe and steer governing actions, with authority to amend the budget involved."
"A legislature is an assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country, nation or city."
"Indirect election and appointment by the executive are also used."
"They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial powers of government."
"Laws enacted by legislatures are usually known as primary legislation."