Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
U.S. Congress - statistics & facts
The United States Congress is considered by many to be the backbone of the United States government. It is the law-making or legislative body of the U.S. federal government and consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. In January 2025, the 119th Congress began with the Republican Party in control of the House and the Senate. While it is often said that the U.S. government is made up of three co-equal branches – the executive, judicial, and legislative branches – the legislature is perhaps the most eminent. Its primary function is to make laws, but it also has significant checks over both the executive and judicial branches. 
