What are the two houses of the U.S. Congress?

The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature, meaning it consists of two separate chambers tasked with making federal laws. The correct answer identifies these two chambers as the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Senate is composed of 100 members, with each state represented by two senators, regardless of its population. This structure ensures equal representation for all states in one half of Congress. The House of Representatives, on the other hand, is made up of representatives chosen from various congressional districts across the states, with the number of representatives from each state based on its population. This means that more populous states have more representatives, reflecting the democratic principle of representation by population.

Understanding this structure is crucial for recognizing how legislation is proposed, debated, and passed in the United States. The distinction between these two houses allows for a balance of power and ensures that both the interests of the individual states and the general populace are taken into account during the legislative process.