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Welcome to the U.S. Capitol
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  • Plan A Visit
      1. Travel and Guidelines
        1. Getting to the Capitol
        2. Visitor Hours & Info
        3. Accessibility Services
        4. Capitol Etiquette
        5. Prohibited Items
        6. Emergency Evacuation Information
      2. What To Do
        1. Book a Tour
        2. Suggested Itineraries
        3. Explore More of the Capitol
        4. Watching Congress In Session
        5. Where to Eat
        6. Where to Shop
      3. Maps and Tips
        1. Frequently Asked Questions
        2. U.S. Capitol Map
        3. Capitol Visitor Center Indoor Map
        4. Tips for Visiting the Capitol
        5. Orientation Video
      4. Print Materials
        1. Brochures
        2. International Translations
  • Exhibitions
      1. Temporary Exhibits
        1. Legislative Highlights
        2. View By Theme
          1. Congress and the Judicial Branch: Jurisdiction
          2. Congress and the Judicial Branch: Composition
          3. Congress and the Judicial Branch: Negotiation
          4. Congress and the Executive Branch: Nominations and Appointments
          5. Congress and the Executive Branch: Balancing Power
          6. Congress and the Executive Branch: Investigations
      2. Timeline of Congress and the Capitol
        1. Prologue
        2. 1789 - 1815
        3. 1815 - 1851
        4. 1851 - 1877
        5. 1877 - 1913
        6. 1913 - 1945
        7. 1945 - Present
        8. Epilogue
      3. Additional Resources
        1. Take the Capitol Challenge
        2. The Capitol Story
  • Education
      1. Students
        1. Student Orientation Video
        2. Resources & Activities
        3. National History Day (NHD)
      2. Teachers
        1. Student Programs
        2. Lesson Plans
        3. Professional Enrichment
        4. Student Orientation Video
        5. Resources & Activities
      3. Families
        1. Pocket Journal
        2. Special Programs and Encounters
        3. Student Orientation Video
        4. Resources & Activities
  • About Congress
      1. What Congress Does
      2. Two Bodies, One Branch
      3. Making Laws
      4. The U.S. House of Representatives
      5. The U.S. Senate
  • About The Capitol
      1. Evolution of the Capitol
      2. About the Capitol Visitor Center
      3. The Architect of the Capitol
      4. Careers
  • Calendar
  • Connect
      1. Questions & Comments
      2. Social Media
      3. Volunteer
      4. Visitor Survey
      5. Website Survey
      6. YouTube Videos
      7. Apps
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  2. About Congress

About Congress

Through legislative debate and compromise, the U.S. Congress makes laws that influence our daily lives. It holds hearings to inform the legislative process, conducts investigations to oversee the executive branch, and serves as the voice of the people and the states in the federal government.

What Congress Does What Congress Does Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government that makes the nation's laws.
Two Bodies, One Branch Two Bodies, One Branch The two houses of Congress have equal but unique roles in the federal government.
Making Laws Making Laws There are many different ways, both simple and complex, in which a bill becomes law.
The U.S. House of Representatives The U.S. House of Representatives From the House’s inception, Representatives have been elected directly by the people.
The U.S. Senate The U.S. Senate In the United States Senate all states are represented equally.

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  • Plan A Visit
  • Exhibitions
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  • Architect of the Capitol
  • Phone: 202-226-8000
  • Volunteer
  • Brochures
  • International Translations
  • Comments
  • Explore More of the Capitol
  • Privacy
  • Plan A Visit
    • Travel and Guidelines
      • Getting to the Capitol
      • Visitor Hours & Info
      • Accessibility Services
      • Capitol Etiquette
      • Prohibited Items
      • Emergency Evacuation Information
    • What To Do
      • Book a Tour
        • Book a tour through the office of your Representative
        • Book a tour through the offices of your Senators
        • Book a Tour Yourself Online
        • How to Modify or Cancel Your Reservation
      • Suggested Itineraries
      • Explore More of the Capitol
      • Watching Congress In Session
      • Where to Eat
      • Where to Shop
    • Maps and Tips
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • U.S. Capitol Map
      • Capitol Visitor Center Indoor Map
      • Tips for Visiting the Capitol
      • Orientation Video
    • Print Materials
      • Brochures
      • International Translations
  • Exhibitions
    • Temporary Exhibits
      • Legislative Highlights
      • View By Theme
        • Congress and the Judicial Branch: Jurisdiction
        • Congress and the Judicial Branch: Composition
        • Congress and the Judicial Branch: Negotiation
        • Congress and the Executive Branch: Nominations and Appointments
        • Congress and the Executive Branch: Balancing Power
        • Congress and the Executive Branch: Investigations
    • Timeline of Congress and the Capitol
      • Prologue
      • 1789 - 1815
      • 1815 - 1851
      • 1851 - 1877
      • 1877 - 1913
      • 1913 - 1945
      • 1945 - Present
      • Epilogue
    • Additional Resources
      • Take the Capitol Challenge
      • The Capitol Story
        • Statue of Freedom
        • The British Burn the Capitol, August 24, 1814
        • The Capitol Dome
        • The Frieze of American History
        • The Apotheosis of Washington
  • Education
    • Students
      • Student Orientation Video
      • Resources & Activities
      • National History Day (NHD)
    • Teachers
      • Student Programs
      • Lesson Plans
      • Professional Enrichment
      • Student Orientation Video
      • Resources & Activities
    • Families
      • Pocket Journal
      • Special Programs and Encounters
      • Student Orientation Video
      • Resources & Activities
  • About Congress
    • What Congress Does
    • Two Bodies, One Branch
    • Making Laws
    • The U.S. House of Representatives
    • The U.S. Senate
  • About The Capitol
    • Evolution of the Capitol
    • About the Capitol Visitor Center
    • The Architect of the Capitol
    • Careers
  • Calendar
  • Connect
    • Questions & Comments
    • Social Media
    • Volunteer
    • Visitor Survey
    • Website Survey
    • YouTube Videos
    • Apps
  • Subscribe