Congress of the United States

The legislative body of the U. S. consists of a Senate and House of Representatives collectively called Congre . The Senate consists of two members from each State chosen by the State Legislatures for 6 years. The Vice-President of U. S. is its presiding officer. The Senate has power to ratify or reject all foreign treaties made by the President and to confirm or reject his official appointments in addition to its legislative capacity. It may also constitute a High Court of Impeachment. The House of Representatives consists of members elected every second year by voters qualified by the laws of their respective States. Every 10 years a census is taken to determine the number of members to which each State is entitled. By that of 1890 the total was 356, or one representative to every 173,900 inhabitants. Each House is the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members, and may expel a member by a two-thirds majority. Each Member of Congre receives $5,000 per annum, 20 cents a mile for traveling expenses to and from his home, and $125 per annum for stationery. No person can hold any office under the U. S. and at the same time be a member of either House. A delegate is admitted from each organized Territory, who has the right to speak but not to vote; he is elected in the same manner as the others. The House elects its presiding officer, called the Speaker, who also appoints the Committees. Congre may propose alterations of the Constitution and has authority over Federal taxation, foreign affairs, army, navy, and, to a certain extent, militia, commerce, postal service, coinage, weights and measures, and the trial and punishment of crime against the U. S.