Legislative Branch
By: Marc
Powers and Responsibilities of Congress
The Legislative Branch is the part of government that makes and passes laws. There are numerous responsibilities of Congress, but I will only tell you a few. Making laws, approving or disapproving Presidential appointments, impeaching and trying officials, raising and maintaining armed forces, and declaring war are some of the main responsibilities/powers of Congress.
Make-Up of Senate
There are 100 U.S. senators, two from each state. Their earnings range from $174,000 for a basic senator to $230,700 for the Vice President who is the President of the Senate. Each senator serves a six-year term but elections are staggered so that 1/3 of the seats are filled each election cycle. To be a senator, you must be 30 years old, must have been a citizen for at least nine years and must be a resident of the state you're representing at the time of the election.
Make-Up of House of Representatives
There are normally 435 representatives in the House of Representatives, but at this moment there are three empty seats. Most representatives earn $174,000 but John Boehner, who is the Speaker of the House earns $223,500 and the Majority and Minority Leaders each earn $193,400. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve two year terms and are up for election every even numbered year. To be a representative, you have to be 25 years old, a citizen of the United States for at least seven years and you must be a resident of the state you're representing at the time of the election.
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