Final answer:
The two parts of Congress are the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form a bicameral legislature. The House is based on state populations while the Senate provides equal representation for each state. They work through committees to handle a broad range of legislative responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two parts that make up Congress are the House of Representatives and the Senate. This two-chamber system is known as a bicameral legislature. The House of Representatives is comprised of 435 members whose numbers are apportioned based on the population of each state, with more populous states receiving more representatives. On the other hand, the Senate offers equal representation for states regardless of size, with each state being allocated two senators, creating a total of 100 senators.
The creation of a bicameral Congress was a result of a compromise during the Constitutional Convention and was designed to balance the interests of large and small states. While the House of Representatives addresses the demands of the populace, the Senate represents the interests of the states. Both chambers are involved in the legislative process, where laws, including those affecting revenue and appropriations for governmental departments and agencies, must be considered and approved by both houses before they can become law.
Through the committee system, Congress manages its vast array of responsibilities that include domestic, international, economic, agricultural, regulatory, criminal, and military issues. Committees are specialized by subject matter and play a crucial role in the legislative process, with standing committees being the core committees. There are twenty standing committees in the House and sixteen in the Senate, where most legislation originates and the congressional agenda is set.