AMERICAN CONGRESS

Characteristics of the Congress President is not part of the congress Bi-cameral legislature Congress is not sovereign Powers of both the house of the congress are not equal Direct election of both the houses Equal representation to all states Upper house is permanent and the tenure of the lower house is fixed

House of Representatives Composition of the house of representatives Method of election Representation on the basis of population Gerrymandering Qualification of members Sufferage requirements Tenure Session Quorum Salary and allowences

Powers and function of House of Representatives Financial powers Constituent power Power of declare war Judicial function Electoral powers To frame rule and regulations Investigatory functions Legislative powers

Speaker of House of Representative Election of the speaker –article ,1 section-2 Qualification of speaker Tenure Salary and allowences

Power and function of Speaker To preside over the meetings of the house To give permission to members to speak To maintain the discipline in the house Interpretation of the rules of the house To refer the bills to the committees Use of casting vote To certify the bills Leader of the his party in the house Leader of the house

The Senate Composition of the senate Method of election Provision of direct election through 17th constitutional amendment Qualifications of members Tenure of the senate Session of the senate Quorum Chairmen of the senate Privileges of the members

Power and Function of the Senate Legislative powers Financial powers Executive powers Constitutional powers Judicial powers Electoral powers Approval over foreign policy

Factor Responsible for Making Senate more powerful and important Long tenure Permanent house Small size of senate Direct executive powers Direct election of senate Equal financial powers Freedom of speech in senate House of able, experienced and senior politicians Solidarity of the members of senate