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A More Perfect Union
Congress and the Separation of Powers part 2
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Congress and the Judicial Branch: Jurisdiction
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Exhibitions
A More Perfect Union
Exhibition Archives
Exhibition Archives
A More Perfect Union
Congress and the Separation of Powers
Why does the U.S. Constitution separate the government into three branches? At the nation’s founding, the Constitution’s framers understood that executive, legislative, and…
Congress and the World Wars Part 2
World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945) were cataclysmic events during the twentieth century. Congress debated new international commitments and chose…
A More Perfect Union
Congress and the World Wars
World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945) were cataclysmic events, which spurred Congress to address the nation’s role in the world. As foreign aggression…
A More Perfect Union
Congress and the Progressive Era Part 2
From the 1890s to the 1920s, a period known as the Progressive Era, the United States experienced dramatic social, cultural, and political change. Confronted with domestic…
A More Perfect Union
Congress and the Progressive Era
From the 1890s to the 1920s, a period known as the Progressive Era, the United States experienced dramatic social, cultural, and political change. Confronted with domestic…
A More Perfect Union
Congress Investigates Part 2
The power to investigate, implied by the U.S. Constitution, is one of Congress’s most important tools for developing effective public policy, conducting oversight, and…
A More Perfect Union
Congress Investigates
The power to investigate, implied by the U.S. Constitution, is one of Congress’s most important tools for developing effective public policy, conducting oversight, and…
A More Perfect Union
Congress and the War of 1812 Part 2
Instrumental to our identity and future national development, the War of 1812 both shaped and was shaped by Congress. International in scope and economic in nature, the war…
A More Perfect Union
Congress and the War of 1812 Part 1
Instrumental to our identity and future national development, the War of 1812 both shaped and was shaped by Congress. International in scope and economic in nature, the war…
A More Perfect Union
Conflict and Compromise II
Congress is the forum where elected representatives address issues facing the nation. These issues sometimes arise from conflicting ideas within the nation, or from the…
A More Perfect Union
Conflict and Compromise I
Congress is the forum where elected representatives address issues facing the nation. These issues sometimes arise from conflicting ideas within the nation, or from the…
A More Perfect Union
Instruments of Change
In Congress, ideas and issues from across the nation are discussed, debated, and acted upon. Petitions, investigations, and Acts of Congress are all instruments of change…
A More Perfect Union
April 2012 - September 2012
The issue of slavery permeated debate in Congress from the founding of the country through the mid-nineteenth century. The failure to resolve differences between states on…
Congress and the Civil War I
October 2011 - March 2012
The issue of slavery permeated debate in Congress from the founding of the country through the mid-nineteenth century. The failure to resolve differences between states on…
A More Perfect Union
April 2010 - September 2011
For more than two hundred years, the Capitol has been the place where representatives of the American people have debated how best to achieve the nation’s ideals. This…
A More Perfect Union
October 2009 - March 2010
For more than two hundred years, the Capitol has been the place where representatives of the American people have debated how best to achieve the nation’s ideals. This…
A More Perfect Union
April 2009 - September 2009
For more than two hundred years, the Capitol has been the place where representatives of the American people have debated how best to achieve the nation's ideals. This…
A More Perfect Union
December 2008 - March 2009
For more than two hundred years, the Capitol has been the place where representatives of the American people have debated how best to achieve the nation’s ideals. This…
Plan A Visit
Travel and Guidelines
Getting to the Capitol
Visitor Hours & Info
Accessibility Services
Capitol Etiquette
Prohibited Items
Emergency Evacuation Information
What To Do
Book a Tour
Book a tour through the office of your Representative
Book a tour through the offices of your Senators
Book a Tour Yourself Online
How to Modify or Cancel Your Reservation
Suggested Itineraries
Explore More of the Capitol
Watching Congress In Session
Where to Eat
Where to Shop
Maps and Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
U.S. Capitol Map
Capitol Visitor Center Indoor Map
Tips for Visiting the Capitol
Orientation Video
Print Materials
Brochures
International Translations
Exhibitions
A More Perfect Union
Congress and the Separation of Powers part 2
Legislative Highlights
View By Theme
Congress and the Judicial Branch: Jurisdiction
Congress and the Judicial Branch: Composition
Congress and the Judicial Branch: Negotiation
Congress and the Executive Branch: Nominations and Appointments
Congress and the Executive Branch: Balancing Power
Congress and the Executive Branch: Investigations
Exhibition Archives
Timeline of Congress and the Capitol
Prologue
1789 - 1815
1815 - 1851
1851 - 1877
1877 - 1913
1913 - 1945
1945 - Present
Epilogue
Additional Resources
Take the Capitol Challenge
The Capitol Story
Statue of Freedom
The British Burn the Capitol, August 24, 1814
The Capitol Dome
The Frieze of American History
The Apotheosis of Washington
Tour Exhibition Hall
Education
Students
Student Orientation Video
Resources & Activities
Exhibition Hall
Teachers
Student Programs
Lesson Plans
Professional Enrichment
Student Orientation Video
Resources & Activities
Families
Pocket Journal
Special Programs and Encounters
Student Orientation Video
Resources & Activities
About Congress
What Congress Does
Two Bodies, One Branch
Making Laws
The U.S. House of Representatives
The U.S. Senate
About The Capitol
Evolution of the Capitol
About the Capitol Visitor Center
The Architect of the Capitol
Calendar
Connect
Questions & Comments
Social Media
Volunteer
Visitor Survey
YouTube Videos
Apps
Subscribe