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A major role for members of Congress is providing services to constituents. [179] Constituents request assistance with problems. [180] Providing services helps members of Congress win votes and elections [145] [181] [182] and can make a difference in close races. [183] Congressional staff can help citizens navigate government bureaucracies. [5]
Congress meets in the United States Capitol. Powers of the United States Congress are implemented by the United States Constitution, defined by rulings of the Supreme Court, and by its own efforts and by other factors such as history and custom. [1] It is the chief legislative body of the United States.
A member may, however, challenge the presiding officer's assessment and "request the yeas and nays" or "request a recorded vote". The request may be granted only if it is seconded by one-fifth of the members present. Traditionally, however, members of Congress second requests for recorded votes as a matter of courtesy.
Article I, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution explains the powers delegated to the federal House of Representatives and Senate.
From 1789 to 1815, members of Congress received only a per diem (daily payment) of $6 while in session. Members began receiving an annual salary in 1815, when they were paid $1,500 per year. [13] [14] As of 2006, rank and file members of Congress received a yearly salary of $165,200. [14] Congressional leaders are paid $183,500 per year.
The Constitution calls for members of Congress to set their own pay, and the current wages of $174,000 a year were established by an automatic 2.8 percent raise in January of 2009 as outlined in ...
The 118th Congress (2023–2025) has 20 standing committees in the House [10] and 19 in the Senate, [11] plus 4 joint permanent committees with members from both houses overseeing the Library of Congress, printing, taxation, and the economy. In addition, each house may name special, or select, committees to study specific problems.
In total, the Senate consists of 100 members. [3] From its inception in 1789 until 1913, senators were appointed by the state legislature of their respective states. However, since 1913, following the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment, senators have been elected through a statewide popular vote. [4]