U.S. parliamentary traditions date back to the late 18th century. The legislature of this country is called Congress. Its history began in 1774, however, the first parliament of the modern type, which included two houses, was created later. Today, the US Congress is located in the Capitol Building in Washington. In its structure and functions, it is somewhat different from representative institutions of other countries.
Instruction manual
1
The US Congress is one branch of government that sets the laws of a country. It consists of two parts - the Senate and the House of Representatives. The presence of two chambers allows the state to ensure a balance between the interests of various social groups. Such a system of balances, which is absent in unicameral parliaments, is considered optimal for a democratic state.
2
The main function of the American parliament is the preparation, discussion and final adoption of laws, which are subsequently sent for approval to the head of state. The powers of the US Congress, unlike the parliaments of several other countries, are quite broad. This includes the maintenance of the army, and the seal of money, and the regulation of relations between administrative entities. The competence of this body also includes declaring war and amending the country's constitution.
3
The US Congress also has control functions. He monitors the implementation of state policy in the field of tax payments. The American Parliament has the right to oversee the actions of executive authorities, as well as conduct relevant investigations. Congress can call senior officials for this purpose by organizing large-scale hearings. Typically, such events are widely covered in the media.
4
The task of the US Congress is also to share with the head of state powers on the formation of domestic and foreign policy. The President has the right to conclude foreign policy treaties, but they enter into force only after discussion and approval in the Senate. The legislature has the right to declare war, but the head of state remains the commander in chief of the armed forces.
5
One of the features of the US Parliament is the principles for determining the representation in this body, which have repeatedly changed. Members of Congress are now elected by direct vote of residents of the state whose interests will be represented by the people's deputy. Until 1913, when the corresponding constitutional amendment was adopted, senators were elected by the legislatures of individual states, and members of the House of Representatives by voters.
6
Meetings of the House of Representatives and the Senate, as a rule, are held in different rooms of the Capitol. But from time to time, both parts of the parliament gather to resolve the most important issues in joint meetings. The reason for such events may be, for example, the annual appeal of the head of state or the counting of votes in the presidential election.
