Legislative Branch

The legislative branch, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, drafts and passes laws, confirms (or rejects) presidential nominations, and can declare war.

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives, often called the House, has 435 members, proportioned among the 50 states by population. There are also non-voting delegates for the District of Columbia and US territories.

Terms are two years, with no term limits.

Web Resources

The Senate

The Senate is composed of two elected Senators per state, totaling 100.

Senate terms are six years, with no term limits.

Web Resources

Books

This is a small selection of books available in our library. For more, search our catalog.

America’s Congress by David R. Mayhew

Americans, Congress, and Democratic Responsiveness by David R. Jones; Monika L. McDermott

Esteemed Colleagues by Burdett A. Loomis (Editor)

Eyes on Spies by Amy B. Zegart

Politics or Principle? by Sarah A. Binder; Steven S. Smith
Call Number: 328.73071 B612p

Strengthening Congress by Lee H. Hamilton

United States Congress by Ross English

Useful Web Resources

The Congressional Record
The Congressional Record is a substantially verbatim account of the remarks made by senators and representatives while they are on the floor of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It also includes all bills, resolutions, and motions proposed, as well as debates and roll call votes.
The Daily Digest
The Daily Digest is the key to finding information in the Congressional Record. It is much like a table of contents in a book, but is found in the back of each daily edition of the Record. The permanent edition of the Record includes a Daily Digest volume which cumulates each issue for the year.
Congressional Research Service Reports
This collection provides the public with access to research products produced by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) for the United States Congress. By law, CRS works exclusively for Congress, providing timely, objective, and authoritative research and analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of political party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for more than a century.

Databases

You may also wish to check out our Newspapers page.

Disclaimer

This guide is intended to give a general overview of the Constitution and our system of government, as well as some historical information. It may not contain the most up to date legal information and should not be considered legal advice. For help with up to date legal research email us at refdesk@clarkson.edu. For legal advice, please consult an attorney.