1. AMERICAN CONGRESS

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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