
Take the Congress Quiz when done reading this page.
Congress is the lawmaking or legislative group for our nation. They meet in Washington DC in the Capitol building. There is a new Congress every two years. The first Congress met on March 4, 1789.
Congress has several main jobs. First and foremost, it makes laws for our nation. It also approves the President's choices for judges and other officials. Every treaty or agreement the president makes with other nations must be approved by Congress. Congress also must agree before our country goes to war. The Congress can even take steps to have the president removed from office.
Congress is made up of two parts, the Senate and House of Representatives. This makes our Congress bicameral, that is, it is made up of two chambers or houses.