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Congress of the United States
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Images, Videos & Interactives
United States Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Analyze with Hubert Humphrey the U.S. Congress's founding and role in America's system of checks and balances
Diagram of the branches of the U.S. government showing the Constitution at the top, connected to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with executive departments listed below.
Follow a bill from a congressional committee to being signed into law by the president of the United States
Discover the number of women who have served as senators, representatives, and governors. 2026 U.S. Congress results: House has 256 Democrats, 169 Republicans, and 10 uncalled seats; Senate has 53 Democrats, 44 Republicans, 2 independents, and 1 uncalled seat. The U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., with its white dome and neoclassical facade, stands behind a statue and landscaped grounds. U.S. government “The First Colored Senator and Representatives”
Watch British Prime Minister Winston Churchill address a joint session of U.S. Congress after Pearl Harbor
At a Glance
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Congress of the United States summary
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The original copy of the constitution of the United States; housed in the National Archives, Washington, D.C.
American History and Politics Quiz
The United States Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.
U.S. History Highlights: Part Two

Congress of the United States: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Section title updated. Nov 10, 2026
Added interactive showing election results, 2020–24. Nov 02, 2026
Added “Branches of Government” interactive. Aug 28, 2026
Added a “Key Facts” section and an interactive about women in Congress. Aug 09, 2024
Add new Web site: Library of Congress - History of the Library of Congress. Dec 13, 2022
Add new Web site: Official Site of the Congress of the United States. Aug 25, 2022
Add new Web site: Kids.gov - Three Branches of Government. Apr 17, 2017
Add new Web site: Mr.Nussbaum - Continental Congress for Kids. Apr 17, 2017
Add new Web site: Laws - Article One. Mar 31, 2017
Add new Web site: Kids in the House - Around the Capitol - What Is Congress? Mar 31, 2017
Added new Web site: The Library of Congress - How Our Laws Are Made. Nov 13, 2006
Article revised. Nov 10, 2005
Article revised. Mar 28, 2003
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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