United States Congress

The United States Congress is the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government. It consists of two Houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress was created in 1789 upon the ratification of the United States Constitution.

The United States Congress serves a number of functions in government. First of all, they pass laws. These laws can affect everything from speed limits to American holidays. Second, Congress determines how the United States will spend its money, and where federal funding will go. Congress also has the power to declare war, and helps to shape foreign policy.http://www.centeroncongress.org/scripts/facts_of_congress/what_would_congress_do.php

The president of the United States has the power of veto, which means that she or he can override decisions made by the Congress (although in some cases Congress can override the president's veto).http://uspolitics.about.com/od/politicaljunkies/g/veto.htm Conversely, Congress can exercise legislative veto and repeal the acts of the president or other government agencies.http://www.c-span.org/guide/congress/glossary/legveto.htm

On June 26, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454, a piece of legislation which intends to increase alternative energy production, reduce global warming pollution, and transition the U.S. to a green energy economy.

Critics claimed that the legislation would raise energy prices and taxes and cut coal mining jobs, which they argued should not be done during a recession. H.R. 2454 passed by a vote of 219-212.http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll477.xml Green Energy Bill passes 219-212

On February 13, 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more commonly known as the Stimulus Package. This $787 billion legislation was aimed at jump starting the U.S. economy, helping the stock market rebound, and decreasing unemployment.

The final version of the legislation passed the House of Representatives and [[United States Senate|Senate] on February 13, 2009, and was signed by President Obams on February 17.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/14/us/politics/14web-stim.html