(also known as congress)
Gather around, everybody, and I'll tell you all The Tale of the US Congress. You see, about 200 years ago, back when the Constitution was first being written, there was an argument between the Big States and the Little States.
The Big States wanted the number of lawmakers for each state to be based on population, so the states with the most people would have the most representatives. The Little States wanted the number of representatives for each state to be equal. The argument went on and on, and was so bad, even George Washington was afraid they would never get along.
But, the states finally worked it out. They created what is called a bicameral (two-branched) lawmaking body. It had the Senate for the Little States, and the House of Representatives for the Big States.
And that's how we got our congress.
Click on the side of the Capitol Building that houses the branch of congress you want to get a better look at.
I'll show you in ten easy steps! Just a simple click below!
How a bill becomes law