What Is Congress?

This section provides resources to help you understand what America’s Founders had in mind for Congress when they established it and what the responsibilities of Congress are in protecting individual liberties and passing laws.

Interact

• The Many Roles of a Member of Congress

• Notable Members of Congress

• Budget Allocation Activity

Watch

• Facts of Congress Video Series (short, animated videos)

• Founders and Colonies

• Checks and Balances

• House and Senate

• Who Can Be a Member

• Women in Congress

Read

• Understanding Congress: A Citizen’s Guide

• The Two Houses of the United States Congress

• Lee Hamilton Commentaries

• We’ll Never Settle on the Right Role for Government

• As Congress Weakens, So Does Our Democracy

• There is no Substitute for Robust Oversight

• Lincoln’s Question at Gettysburg is Still Relevant

• Why Congress Needs Institutionalists

• In Congress, Change is a Constant

• Congress and the Common Good

• Survey Results

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Key Points

The U.S. Congress is the most powerful legislative body in the world. The framers of the Constitution gave considerable power to the Congress because of its role as the voice of the people. Each of us has a say in how we are governed through our elected representatives in Congress.

One of the most important roles of Congress is balancing off the power of the president. The framers were particularly worried that a too powerful executive could threaten freedom in our country.

One of the most significant powers of Congress is setting federal spending levels—the “power of the purse”—which each year typically consumes most of Congress' time.

In recent decades, Congress has allowed some of its power in key areas—in the decision to go to war, in setting the federal budget, and in determining the national policy agenda—to shift over to the president.