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THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Article I of the Constitution establishes the legislative or law making branch of government. It has a two-branch Congress (bicameral)—the Senate and the House of Representatives—and agencies that support Congress. Both senators and representatives are chosen through direct election by the people they represent.

The House of Representatives is currently comprised of 435 members, and seats are apportioned among the states by population. Representatives serve 2 year terms with no limit to the number of consecutive terms one can serve. Each state has 2 senators regardless of population. The 100 senators serve staggered six-year terms.  Every two years, approximately one-third of the Senate is elected.  This process allows for the Congress to better reflect the changing social landscape and ensure the best representation of the people.

The House and Senate are equal partners in the legislative process and legislation cannot become law without the majority support of BOTH houses. The Constitution does grant each house special powers: the Senate has the ability to ratify treaties and approve presidential appointments while fund raising bills must originate in the House of Representatives, which also has sole impeachment power. Interestingly, the Senate has the sole power to actually try impeachment cases.

The Congress meets in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

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Contacting Congress

THE SENATE:

ALL Inquiries and requests should be directed to the Senators from your state, including those related to issues of public policy, legislation, or requests for personal assistance.  Please be aware that as a matter of professional courtesy, many Senators will acknowledge, but not respond to, a message from another Senator's constituent.

For correspondence to U.S. Senators:
Office of Senator (Name)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

For correspondence to Senate Committees:
(Name of Committee)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Switchboard:  (202) 224-3121 - you will be transferred to the office you request.

Senate Committees

Standing  Special, Select, and Other
 Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry  Indian Affairs
 Appropriations  Select Committee on Ethics
 Armed Services  Select Committee on Intelligence
 Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs  Special Committee on Aging
 Budget  
 Commerce, Science, and Transportation  Joint
 Energy and Natural Resources  Joint Committee on Printing
 Environment and Public Works  Joint Committee on Taxation
 Finance  Joint Committee on the Library
 Foreign Relations  Joint Economic Committee
 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions  
 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs  
 Judiciary  
 Rules and Administration  
 Small Business and Entrepreneurship  
 Veterans' Affairs  

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HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES

U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 224-3121
TTY: (202) 225-1904

HOUSE LEADERSHIP

Office of the Speaker
Office of the Majority Leader
Office of the Republican Leader
House Majority Whip
Republican Whip
Democratic Caucus
House Democrats
House Republican Conference
House Republican Policy Committee

HOUSE COMMITTEES  
   
Committee on Agriculture Committee on Rules
Committee on Appropriations Committee on Science and Technology
Committee on Armed Services Committee on Small Business
Committee on the Budget Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
Committee on Education and Labor Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee on Energy and Commerce Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Committee on Financial Services Committee on Ways and Means
Committee on Foreign Affairs Joint Economic Committee
Committee on Homeland Security Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
Committee on House Administration Joint Committee on Taxation
Committee on the Judiciary House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
Committee on Natural Resources Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming  

YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR INFORMATION RELEASED TO YOU UNDER THE FOIA.

Agencies are allowed to charge fees related to storage, retrieval and delivery of information open to the public under the freedom of information act.  Each agency has different rules and fee schedules and should be consulted directly to better understand what those are.

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COMING SOON:

Agencies that Support Congress
Architect of the Capitol
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
Congressional Research Service
Copyright Office
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Government Printing Office (GPO)
Library of Congress
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
Open World Leadership Center
Stennis Center for Public Service
U.S. Botanic Garden
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

For More info about the US Federal Government and how it is organized you can click on the following links:

The US Federal Government's Official Website

Wikipedia

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