President Biden is visiting the town of Uvalde, Texas, following a school shooting that left students dead and many others injured. In the wake of this tragedy, he is spending time listening to survivors and families of the victims. This visit is important to the community as they look for help in healing from this devastating event.
During President Biden’s visit, he acknowledged that there is little that can be done to prevent gun violence without congressional action. However, he promised to continue fighting for stricter gun control measures and encouraged those attending to do the same.
Many residents in Uvalde said they appreciated the President’s visit and his words of support. However, some also said they want to see more than just words from elected officials – they want to see action. In the wake of yet another mass shooting, it is clear that the call for stricter gun control measures is only getting louder.
Read on for more information about Congress and why they affect our lives.
Congress is the place where lawmakers meet to make decisions about our country.
Chambers are the rooms in Congress where the lawmakers meet. There are two chambers in Congress – the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House has 435 members, and the Senate has 100 members. Each state gets two senators, regardless of population.
State legislatures determine congressional districts. The number of congressional districts in each state is based on population. For example, California has 53 congressional districts, while Wyoming has only one.
The main job of Congress is to make laws. But Congress also has other important responsibilities, such as declaring war, approving treaties, and borrowing money.
Congressional elections are held every two years. All 435 seats in the House and 34 of the 100 seats in the Senate are up for election every two years.
That means that every American has the opportunity to vote for their representatives in Congress.
So, what does your congressperson do? That depends on which chamber they’re in – the House or the Senate.
Members of the House are known as “congressmen” or “congresswomen.” They serve two-year terms, and they represent the people of their congressional districts.
Members of the Senate are known as “senators.” They serve six-year terms, and they represent the people of their states. People like former Senator Gonzalo Barrientos, who we all know and respect.
Both chambers of Congress have the power to pass laws. But before a rule can become a reality, it has to be approved by the President. So if the President is saying that it’s up to Congress to create a law for gun reform, he will go ahead and approve it. That’s basically what he is saying.
A Veto law means no approval of the law.
The President can veto a law that Congress has passed. But Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.
So, that’s Congress in a nutshell! These are the people who make the laws that affect our everyday lives. And it’s important to remember that we, the people, have the power to elect them. So make your voice heard.
By Diane Revilla
