Article 1: Structure:
-Bicameral: congress has two chambers - the house of representatives
Section 1: establishes the name of the legislature ( representation based on population) and the senate ( 2 senators per state),
- congress is the legislative branch of the federal government and is responsible for creating a balance between large and small states
making national laws. - popular sovereignty: members of congress are elected by the people,
showing that government power comes from the citizens
Section 2: defines the house of representatives
- members of the house are elected every two years, and representation is based on Functions:
each state's population. - membrships: members must meet constitutional requirements ( age,
citizenship, residency) and they represent the interest of their districts or
Section 3: defines the senate states.
- each state has 2 senators who serve 6 year terms, giving equal representation to - incumbency and gerrymandering: incumbents often have advantages
all states. like name recognition and fundraising,
While gerrymandering allows political parties to redraw district lines to
Section 4: methods of electing members of congress. benefit themselves.
- states organise elections, but congress can set rules about the time,place, and -election cycle ( senate): Senators serve 6 years terms with elections
manner of those elections. staggered every 2 years, which provides stability but can impact how
responsive they are to public opinion.
Section s: rules of members
- each house judges the qualifications of its members and can punish or remove a
2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
member for misconduct
D President President President D President
Section 6: pay for members R R D R
- senators and representatives are paid by the federal government and cannot be
arrested for minor offences while attending sessions. All house All house All house All house All house
Who is All house
elected? R R D D R R
Section7:details how bills become law
- A bill must pass both the house and senate and be signed by the president to
become law ( or pass over a veto) 1/3 senate 1/3 senate 1/3 senate 1/3 senate 1/3 senate 1/3 senate
R D D
R R R
Section 8: details powers of congress
- congress has powers such as taxing, borrowing money, regulating trade,
declaring war, and creating the military.
Interpretations and debates:
Section 9: places certain limits on congress -distribution of power: ongoing debate exists over how power should be
- congress cannot suspend habeas corpus expect In emergencies and cannot pass ex divided between congress and the president, especially in areas like war
post facto laws. powers and executive orders.
- concurrent powers: both federal and state governments share powers such
Section 10: prohibits states from several things as taxing and establishing courts.
- states cannot make treaties, print their own money,or declare war. - exclusive powers: only congress has certain powers, such as declaring
war, regulating interstate commerce, and impeaching federal officials.
Senate 119th congress House
Senator Title of politician Congressman/ woman
6 years Term length 2 years
100 Total number 435
Proportional to population
2 per state, each senator Number per state Wyoming - 1
represents the whole state California- 52
$174,00O Salary $174,00O
Speaker: JD Vance Speaker: Mike Johnson
Majority Leader: John Thune Senior figures 119th Majority Leader: Steve Scalise
Minority leader:Chuck Schumer congress 2025 Minority leader: Hakeem Jeffries
Democrats: 45 Democrats: 215
Republicans: 53 119th congress 2025 / Republicans: 218
Independent: 2 2026 Independent: O
Vacancies: 2
-Bicameral: congress has two chambers - the house of representatives
Section 1: establishes the name of the legislature ( representation based on population) and the senate ( 2 senators per state),
- congress is the legislative branch of the federal government and is responsible for creating a balance between large and small states
making national laws. - popular sovereignty: members of congress are elected by the people,
showing that government power comes from the citizens
Section 2: defines the house of representatives
- members of the house are elected every two years, and representation is based on Functions:
each state's population. - membrships: members must meet constitutional requirements ( age,
citizenship, residency) and they represent the interest of their districts or
Section 3: defines the senate states.
- each state has 2 senators who serve 6 year terms, giving equal representation to - incumbency and gerrymandering: incumbents often have advantages
all states. like name recognition and fundraising,
While gerrymandering allows political parties to redraw district lines to
Section 4: methods of electing members of congress. benefit themselves.
- states organise elections, but congress can set rules about the time,place, and -election cycle ( senate): Senators serve 6 years terms with elections
manner of those elections. staggered every 2 years, which provides stability but can impact how
responsive they are to public opinion.
Section s: rules of members
- each house judges the qualifications of its members and can punish or remove a
2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024
member for misconduct
D President President President D President
Section 6: pay for members R R D R
- senators and representatives are paid by the federal government and cannot be
arrested for minor offences while attending sessions. All house All house All house All house All house
Who is All house
elected? R R D D R R
Section7:details how bills become law
- A bill must pass both the house and senate and be signed by the president to
become law ( or pass over a veto) 1/3 senate 1/3 senate 1/3 senate 1/3 senate 1/3 senate 1/3 senate
R D D
R R R
Section 8: details powers of congress
- congress has powers such as taxing, borrowing money, regulating trade,
declaring war, and creating the military.
Interpretations and debates:
Section 9: places certain limits on congress -distribution of power: ongoing debate exists over how power should be
- congress cannot suspend habeas corpus expect In emergencies and cannot pass ex divided between congress and the president, especially in areas like war
post facto laws. powers and executive orders.
- concurrent powers: both federal and state governments share powers such
Section 10: prohibits states from several things as taxing and establishing courts.
- states cannot make treaties, print their own money,or declare war. - exclusive powers: only congress has certain powers, such as declaring
war, regulating interstate commerce, and impeaching federal officials.
Senate 119th congress House
Senator Title of politician Congressman/ woman
6 years Term length 2 years
100 Total number 435
Proportional to population
2 per state, each senator Number per state Wyoming - 1
represents the whole state California- 52
$174,00O Salary $174,00O
Speaker: JD Vance Speaker: Mike Johnson
Majority Leader: John Thune Senior figures 119th Majority Leader: Steve Scalise
Minority leader:Chuck Schumer congress 2025 Minority leader: Hakeem Jeffries
Democrats: 45 Democrats: 215
Republicans: 53 119th congress 2025 / Republicans: 218
Independent: 2 2026 Independent: O
Vacancies: 2
