Final answer:
The Legislative Branch of the U.S. government, established by Article I of the Constitution, is a bicameral institution consisting of the Senate, with equal representation for each state, and the House of Representatives, based on population.
Step-by-step explanation:
Details about the Senate, House of Representatives, and Legislative Branch
The Legislative Branch, as established by Article I of the U.S. Constitution, is a bicameral body composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
It is responsible for crafting, debating, and passing laws that govern the country.
The Senate
The Senate represents the states equally, with each state having two senators, regardless of population. Senators serve six-year terms, with approximately one-third of the Senate up for election every two years.
The House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is based on population, with states receiving a varying number of representatives according to their population size.
Members of the House serve two-year terms, and all members are up for election every two years.
Checks and Balances
Within the Legislative Branch, there are several checks and balances to prevent any one chamber from wielding too much power.
A bill must be passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives to become law, presenting a check within the branch itself.
Furthermore, the Senate has unique powers such as confirming presidential appointments, while the House must originate revenue bills.
Each chamber must consent to the other's adjournments longer than three days and are mandated to publish their journals.
Overall, the bicameral structure serves as a means to balance representation between the states and the people, with the Senate granting equal power to each state and the House reflecting the population size.