US Congress members can receive a pension based on their years of service. The pension system has changed over time, with some members choosing not to participate. The retirement plan offered is generous, with retired members receiving an average of $41,000 to $55,000 annually. Controversy surrounds the fact that even members expelled for ethics violations […]
“Sine die” means an indefinite adjournment of the United States Congress without setting a specific date for reconvening. It is usually the last act of the session of Congress when it ends for the year, acknowledging that when Congress reconvenes, some members will have lost their jobs and there will be new members. The Twentieth […]
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, with over 130 million items in its collection, including rare books and works in over 460 languages. Its main collection was destroyed in 1814, but Congress authorized the purchase of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library the following year. With a history dating back to the 1800s, the […]
Congressional bills are proposals for new laws in the US, with two types: public and private. Any citizen can write a bill, but it must be introduced by a member of Congress. Bills go through committees, then both the House and Senate, and may be reconciled by a conference committee. The US Congress also uses […]
Congress passes legislation, subject to judicial review, with specific topics limited by a constitution. Bills can be introduced by a single representative or a group, and evaluated by committees. Passage by the entire congress is required, with the ability to override a veto. Acts vary in scope and meaning, from establishing the Treasury to creating […]
The US Legislature is bicameral, with both houses able to introduce legislation, but revenue bills limited to the House of Representatives. Bills must be passed by both houses and go through a conference committee to create a compromise version. This process is also used in most states. Conference committees can also be used in a […]
The Congressional Record is an official record of proceedings in the US Congress, published daily by the US Government Printing Office. It includes speeches, debates, and voting minutes, as well as indexes and a daily digest. Digitized versions are available online, and paper copies can be ordered. The USGPO employs a team of printers, indexers, […]
The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States, located in Washington, DC, with over 530 miles of shelving and 22,000 new items arriving daily. It has a large collection of materials from around the world, including rare books, films, photographs, and sound recordings. It serves as the primary research library for […]
The First Continental Congress met in 1774 in Philadelphia to discuss colonial rights and trade limitations with Britain. The colonists were angry with heavy taxes and laws imposed on them, leading to the Boston Tea Party and the Coercive Acts. The Congress created a list of grievances and rights, initiating a trade embargo if Britain […]
State governors have no official role in the federal legislative process, but can influence their state’s senators and representatives. They have more power at the state level. State governments must comply with federal laws and mandates, but can unite on issues of mutual concern to send a message to Congress. Historical conflicts over states’ rights […]
An amendment in the nature of a substitute replaces the body of a bill while retaining the title and enabling clauses. It can be used to clarify language, address changes in circumstances, or rework constitutionally objectionable aspects of a bill. An amendment in the nature of a substitute is in fact a replacement of the […]
Experts debate the pros and cons of term limits in Congress. Benefits include reducing corruption and increasing new ideas, but downsides include inexperienced politicians and leaders not caring about voters’ opinions. Term limits could reduce corruption and change behavior, but could also disadvantage skilled lawmakers and result in unpopular ideas. The pros and cons of […]
A joint session of Congress is when the House of Representatives and the Senate meet together, overseen by the Speaker of the House and the Vice President. There are two types of joint sessions: joint conventions for standard procedures and joint meetings for consultations. The Constitution requires a joint session every four years to approve […]
The Second Continental Congress was a provisional government representing the 13 colonies during the American Revolutionary War. They created the Continental Army, assumed legislative and executive authority, and issued the Declaration of Independence, leading to the formation of the United States. The Second Continental Congress was a unicameral delegation representing the 13 colonies during the […]
There are no term limits for US Congress members, leading to some politicians holding their seat for life. The issue has been debated for centuries, with some Founding Fathers wanting temporary leadership positions. In 1995, the Supreme Court ruled against term limits in Congress. The debate continues, with some arguing for change and others preferring […]
In 2002, Elmo testified before Congress, becoming the first nonhuman to do so. He requested more funds for music education and referred to himself as “Mr. Monster.” Elmo is a beloved Sesame Street character and has appeared on various TV shows. Plenty of celebrities have testified before Congress, but in 2002, Elmo, the fuzzy red […]
Congress can issue subpoenas to people and hold them in contempt if they fail to appear, produce documents, or lie during an investigation. Those found in contempt can face up to 12 months in prison and fines. Janet Reno, Karl Rove, and Rita Lavelle have all faced contempt charges. The United States Congress, by virtue […]
Unanimous consensus is when all members agree on a decision without voting. In Congress, non-controversial matters can be decided this way, but if someone objects, a vote may be necessary. Unanimous consent saves time for necessary debates and votes on controversial issues. However, it only applies to members present, and if someone opposes an action, […]
The First Continental Congress met in 1774 to discuss boycotting the British Empire due to the Intolerable Acts. The Second Continental Congress, charged with leading the war effort, created the Continental Army and issued the Olive Branch Petition, which was denied by King George III. Funding was scarce, and the Congress sought help from France. […]
The US government has three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Congress is part of the legislative branch, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has two members from each state, while the House has a varying number based on population. Senators serve six-year terms, while House members serve two-year terms. The […]
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