The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, and consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Together they compose the national legislature of the United States. The Congress meets in the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

The primary functions and responsibilities of Congress are to write, debate, and pass laws that affect all Americans. This includes providing for the common defense; regulating interstate commerce; establishing standards of immigration, naturalization, currency and coinage; raising revenue for various activities (through taxation); and creating necessary programs like Social Security and Medicare. Congress also has oversight responsibility to ensure that executive departments (like Transportation), independent agencies (such as NASA) and military are effectively carrying out their duties according to laws established by Congress. Finally, although it’s rare for a President’s judicial nominations not to be confirmed by both houses, the Senate fulfills its duty to provide “advice and consent” by debating judicial appointments before voting through confirmation or decline.