The Legislative Branch

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When we say that our nation has a bicameral legislature, it means that the legislative branch is divided into two separate assemblies, chambers, or houses. In the United States, this bicameral system consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, making up the U.S. Congress. The Senate is the upper house of Congress. Each state, regardless of its size or population, is represented by two senators. This ensures equal representation for each state in this chamber. Therefore, the total number of senators is 100 (2 senators for each of the 50 states). The House of Representatives, on the other hand, is the lower house of Congress, and its representation is based on the population of each state. The more populous a state is, the more representatives it has. There is a set total of 435 representatives, and these seats are apportioned among the states based on the results of the U.S. Census, which is conducted every ten years. Each state is guaranteed at least one representative, no matter how small its population (American Government, n.d.).

This system can lead to situations where one state is represented by fewer than 5 persons in Congress while another may be represented by more than 50. For example, a less populous state like Wyoming has only 3 members in Congress: 2 senators and 1 representative. On the other hand, a populous state like California, with its 53 representatives and 2 senators, has a total of 55 members in Congress. This helps to ensure equal representation in Congress.

As for the terms of office, senators serve six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate seats up for election every two years. This system ensures that the Senate always maintains a level of continuity because two-thirds of the senators carry over from one Congress to the next. Representatives, however, serve two-year terms, and all seats in the House of Representatives are up for election every two years. Theoretically, this is meant to ensure that the House is responsive to changes in public opinion (American Government, n.d.).

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Incumbency refers to the holding of an office or the period during which one is held. In the context of politics, an incumbent is the current holder of a political office, such as a member of Congress, a mayor, or a president. Incumbents often have a significant advantage during elections due to their greater visibility, experience, and access to resources (American Government, n.d.). Incumbency can be both a positive and negative for a legislator. On the positive side, incumbents have name recognition and a proven track record (if they've been effective), and thus they also tend to have easier access to campaign finance (an important matter in running for election). These advantages can make it easier for incumbents to secure re-election. However, there are also negatives associated with incumbency. If there is widespread dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, incumbents may be seen as part of the problem. They are also tied to their previous voting records and actions, which can be used against them by opponents. Plus, if an incumbent has been in office during a particularly contentious issue or scandal, that can also negatively...

…in either the House or the Senate. The bill is then assigned to a relevant committee, where it is often sent to a subcommittee for further review and possible amendments. If the bill is approved by the committee, it is sent to the floor of the House or Senate for debate and voting. If passed by one house, the bill goes through a similar process in the other house. If both houses pass the bill, but in different forms, a conference committee is formed to reconcile the differences. Once both houses approve the same version of the bill, it is sent to the president for signature (American Government, n.d.).

If the president signs the bill, it becomes law. If the president vetoes the bill, it goes back to Congress, where it can still become law if both houses override the veto by a two-thirds majority. If the president doesn't sign the bill within ten days while Congress is in session, it becomes law without their signature. But if Congress adjourns during those ten days, and the president doesn't sign the bill, it does not become law in a process known as a "pocket veto" (American Government, n.d.).

The legislative process is time-consuming, which can be seen as both a positive and a negative. On the positive side, this allows for thorough consideration, debate, and amendment of proposed laws. It prevents hasty decision-making and ensures that many different viewpoints are taken into account. On the negative side, this process can delay needed legislation, and bills that have broad support can be stalled due to political maneuvering or…