How Congress Works

The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government. It makes the laws, controls the budget, and provides a check on the president's power. Congress is made up of two chambers.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

1. A member of Congress introduces a bill
2. It goes to a committee for review and debate
3. If the committee approves, the full chamber votes
4. If one chamber passes it, it goes to the other chamber
5. Both chambers must pass the same version
6. The president signs it into law (or vetoes it)

Why Does This Matter for Midterms?

In midterm elections, voters choose who fills these seats. The party that controls Congress controls what bills get voted on, which judges get confirmed, and how the federal budget is spent. A single seat can shift the balance of power.

Don't Confuse Congress With Your State Legislature

This trips up a lot of people. Every state has its own legislature with its own senators and representatives, completely separate from the U.S. Congress. When someone says “my senator,” they could mean two very different things.

Both levels matter. Your state legislature decides things that directly affect your daily life—how your schools are funded, what your roads look like, whether your state expands Medicaid, what your voting rules are. But state legislative races get far less attention, and turnout is much lower. Many state legislators run unopposed.