Congress

Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are 100 Senators, two from each state. One third of the Senators are elected every two years for six-year terms of office. The Senators represent all of the people in a state and their interests.

The House has 435 members. They are elected every two years for two-year terms. They represent the population of "congressional districts" into which each state is divided. The number of Representatives from each state is based upon its population. For instance, California, the state with the largest population, has 45 Representatives, while Delaware has one. There is no limit to the number of terms a Senator or a Representative may serve.

Almost all elections in the United States follow the "winner-take-all" principle: the candidate who wins the largest number of votes in a Congressional district is the winner.

Congress makes all laws, and each house of Congress has the power to introduce legislation. Each can also vote against legislation passed by the other. Because legislation only becomes law if both houses agree, compromise between them is necessary. Congress decides upon taxes and how money is spent. In addition commerce among the states and with foreign countries. It also sets rules for the naturalization of foreign citizens.

6. Complete the following text by translating the words or expressions in brackets.

The (законодательная ветвь) - (конгресс) - consists of the (Сенат) and the (Палата Представителей). Each (сенатор) is elected for six years and each (представитель) for two years, with no limitation on the number of (сроков).

Each of the 50 states elects two (сенатор) under a system in which one-third of the (Сенат) is elected every two years. А (сенатор) must be (старше) 30 years old and must have been an American citizen for (noменьшей мере) nine years.

The (Палата Представителей) has 435 members. Each state is divided into congressional districts of roughly (равное) population, and the (избиратели) of each district elect one (представитель) to (Конгресс). А member must be (старше) 25 years of age and must have been an American citizen for at least seven years.

Both (палаты) of (Конгресс) must (одобрить) bills before they become law. The (Сенат) alone (утверждает) the President's (кандидаты) for high-level official positions and (ратифицирует) treaties with other nations.

7. Read the text.