About Congress

Following victory in the Revolutionary War in 1783 and the experimental national government under the Articles of Confederation, the United States Constitution of 1787-88 divided the new government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. Congress fills the role of the legislative branch.

In an agreement known as the Connecticut Compromise, or Great Compromise, an accord was reached between the small states (in favor of the New Jersey Plan) and large states (in favor of the Virginia Plan) to decide how exactly Congress would work. Instead of having a Congress with either just proportional or equal representation, the Great Compromise stated that Congress should have both, and created a bicameral (two part) system: the House of Representatives (lower house), with a proportional system of representation based on population; and the Senate (upper house), with equal representation from each state. The Senate allows for two members from each state, regardless of population, while representation in the House of Representatives is apportioned based on population figures gathered in the decennial census.

Some of the Senate's unique powers include confirming treaties before ratification, Presidential appointments to the Supreme Court and Federal Judiciary, and also members of the President’s Cabinet. Like the Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives also drafts, debates and passes legislation. The House is specifically responsible for initiating all revenue and budget bills and formally declaring War.

Congressman McGovern represent the Massachusetts 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

For more information, also see:

How Federal Laws Are Made

On The House Floor


For more information on Congress and the United States government, please visit the following links: 

U.S. House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov/
The official website of the House is a great resource for information on representatives, legislation, committee meetings, and votes.

Office of the House Clerk: http://clerk.house.gov/
Learn more about the history and daily business of the U.S. House of Representatives and keep up-to-date on House Floor Proceedings and upcoming legislation.

U.S. Senate: http://www.senate.gov/
Learn more about the history of the Senate and find information on you senators, the chamber's committees, and upcoming legislation.