WAY OT Senate and Congress, Teach a northerly Neighbour Options

[aveale]

Family,

Can anyone shed some light on the US political system?

I am reading Bill Clinton's book and I am having a hard time getting my head around the electorial process of both the Senate and Congress.

What powers do they have?
What are their functions?
How many members of each?
How are the states/populations represented in each?

Thanx in advance!

T

[ClayPerrine]

US Government 101. NOTE: This is answering a question, not expressing a political opinion.

There are 100 Senators. 2 from Each state. They hold office for 6 years. They are elected by a simple majority of the voters in the state. This was setup to make sure that the large states with large populations would not overpower the small states.

There are 525 (IIRC) Congressman (House of Representatives). They are elected by the majority vote of their Congressional Districts. The Congressional Districts are drawn up by the state legslators (regularly redrawn here in Texas to benefit the party that has the majority in the state legslature). They hold office for 2 years, staggered so that only 1/3 of the Congressman come up for reelection every 2 years. This was to provide representation based on population. The number and location of the representatives are determined by the US Census.


The House changes size based on population changes. Some states can lose representatives if their population declines. Then that congressional seat is given to the next largest population location.

The House usually proposes new legislation (bills). Then it gets bent, folded, spindled and mutilated in committees within the House, and after each congressman has had his or her say, the bill gets voted on. If it gets a majority, it moves on to the Senate, where the process is repeated. If the Senate passes the bill, then it gets sent to the President for his signature. If the President Vetos the bill, it can go back to Congress for a veto override vote.

Does that answer your question?