9781422275634

General elections occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during even-numbered years. On January 3 of the following year, the members of the House of Representatives convene inWashington, D.C., to begin the new congressional term. At the opening of a new term, representatives elect their House leader, known as the Speaker . The Speaker of the House is an incredibly powerful role because they influ- ence many of the House committee assignments and determines the order in which the House addresses new legislation. The Speaker typically belongs to the House majority political party and often prioritizes legislation supported by the majority party over leg- islation endorsed by the minority. When they are in the same party, the Speaker of the House is the president of the United States’ closest ally in all of Congress. When they are not, the Speaker can be the president’s greatest political foe. A term is divided into two year-long sessions. The chief function of Congress is to propose and pass legislation. The Constitution distinguishes the House from the Senate in this function, stating that only the House may propose legislation for raising and apportioning revenue. This refers to laws that increase taxes and to laws that determine how the government spends its money. Through the House of Representatives, ordinary citizens can make a signifi- cant impact on the lawmaking process. Because of the biennial election cycle, rep- resentatives are under constant review. They need to know that their constituents approve of the job they are doing, so they welcome feedback. This provides interested citizens with an opportunity to communicate their thoughts and concerns to some- one who actually votes on federal legislation in Washington, D.C., on a regular basis. Equally important is the ultimate tool of democracy—constituents have the power to vote their representative out of office in favor of another candidate who better represents their point of view. The Senate The second body of Congress is called the Senate . Its primary role in the lawmaking process is to review and improve legislation introduced by the House of Represen- tatives. Representatives typically support legislation that addresses the immediate concerns of their constituents. Senators, who serve longer terms, and in most cases represent larger constituencies, often amend House-approved legislation to ensure that it is applicable to the broader public and will remain relevant over time. This system places the needs of the American people at the foundation of new legislation and at the same time leverages a long-term perspective to create better laws.

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How laws are passed