At first glance, Congress may appear to be the most intricate element of the U.S. government's system of checks and balances. It involves both the Senate and House of Representatives, both of which have completely different rules for formation, and can create crippling stalemates in the passage of bills and laws through the highest hands in government. Your readers will untangle the mysteries that shadow this branch, learning about the two houses of Congress individually, and exploring examples of their capabilities when working together, and in opposition.

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873)

The U.S. Constitution has been debated since before the ink was dry back in 1787. But there is little question that it set up a strong government with an equally strong system of checks and balances between the judicial, executive, and legislative branches. This volume in the My Guide to the Constitution series describes the legislative branch, which some would consider the heart and soul of a democratic government. The founders of the United States of America wanted to avoid giving the president too much power, so they entrusted the legislature with such important duties as raising and spending government money, making laws, and approving or rejecting treaties with foreign countries. Over the years the U.S. Congress has achieved much and has also been harshly criticized, but the U.S. Constitution has continued to keep it in line.

Provides an overview of the legislative branch of the United States government, discussing its organization, history, functions, and responsibilities, and offers profiles of notable senators and representatives.

First published in 1953 by the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives, this 23rd edition of ''How Our Laws Are Made'' reflects changes in congressional procedures since the 22nd edition, which was revised and updated in 2000. This fiftieth anniversary edition was prepared by the Office of the Parliamentarian of the U.S. House of Representatives in consultation with the Office of the Parliamentarian of the U.S. Senate. The framers of our Constitution created a strong federal government resting on the concept of ''separation of powers.'' In Article I, Section 1, of the Constitution, the Legislative Branch is created by the following language: ''All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.'' Article I, Section 5, of the Constitution provides that: ''Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, . . .''. Upon this elegant, yet simple, grant of legislative powers and rulemaking authority has grown an exceedingly complex and evolving legislative process-much of it unique to each House of Congress. FROM THE INTRODUCTION:This book is intended to provide a basic outline of the numerous steps of our federal lawmaking process from the source of an idea for a legislative proposal through its publication as a statute. The legislative process is a matter about which every person should be well informed in order to understand and appreciate the work of Congress.It is hoped that this guide will enable readers to gain a greater understanding of the federal legislative process and its role as one of the foundations of our representative system. One of the most practical safeguards of the American democratic way of life is this legislative process with its emphasis on the protection of the minority, allowing ample opportunity to all sides to be heard and make their views known. The fact that a proposal cannot become a law without consideration and approval by both Houses of Congress is an outstanding virtue of our bicameral legislative system. The open and full discussion provided under the Constitution often results in the notable improvement of a bill by amendment before it becomes law or in the eventual defeat of an inadvisable proposal.