In the United States, laws are passed and official appointments are confirmed, at the federal level, by Congress or, at the state level, by state legislatures. Both Congress and state legislatures are bicameral except that of Nebraska. Bicameral means two chambers; the upper chamber, which is the Senate and the lower chamber, which is the House.
Hello and welcome to Azazel Podcast; the show that discusses political entrepreneurship and political literacy to educate listeners on the power of corporate money on local politics and government. Listen on www.hazazel.com, Apple, Google, or wherever you get your podcasts.
I am Dr. Bobb Rousseau and in today’s episode, I discussed the differences between congress and state legislatures. By the end of this episode, you will know how crucial your state legislators are in shaping democracy in your state.
In the United States, laws are passed and official appointments are confirmed, at the federal level, by Congress or, at the state level, by state legislatures. Both Congress and state legislatures are bicameral except that of Nebraska. Bicameral means two chambers; the upper chamber, which is the Senate and the lower chamber, which is the House.
In America, there is one Congress but there are 50 state legislatures. Congress is composed of 535 members; 100 Senators and 435 Houses of Representatives. Senators are elected for 6 years and stagger their elections into three cycles so that a third of the Senate is up for election every two years. Members of the House of Representatives are elected and up for reelection every two years.
Each state elects two Senators. However the number of representatives depends on the size of the state. The bigger the state the more representatives it has in the house. California has the most Representatives in the House because it is the largest State in terms of population. One of the most important functions of Congress is electing the president of the United States after the general election. When Congress meets to vote, they are called the Electoral College. In another episode, I will go explain how the electoral college works.
State legislatures refer to legislative bodies that are parts of state governments. Their members are elected for two years. State legislatures are also called, general assembly, general court, legislative assembly, or even just legislature. The size of a state legislature depends on the number of districts that state has, meaning that the state legislatures do not have the same number of members. The more districts, more elected officials in the state legislatures. Districts are composed of counties. A district may have one more county. A county is made up of several cities into a type of administrative division managed by local governments. In another episode, I will discuss the structure of local governments.
Both congress and state legislatures have the authority to make laws but congress make laws for the republic whereas state legislatures make laws for their respective state. Laws made by congress are signed or vetoed by the president whereas laws passed by state legislatures are signed or vetoed by the state governor.
Far more laws are decided at the state level than at the federal level. Generally, laws that are passed at the federal level gained public support and have been passed in several states before. For example, same-sex marriage only became a popular policy after state-level organizers and state legislatures passed marriage equality bills.
The Tenth Amendment establishes the powers and functions of congress and state legislatures. It gives all powers not specifically given to Congress to either the states or the people. The Tenth Amendment is a part of the Bill of Rights. In another episode, I will explain the Bills of Rights and how they protect individual liberties and personal freedoms.
In summary, members of the U.S congress make laws for the country whereas members of the state legislatures make laws for their respective state.
Your state legislators or state lawmakers have much more power than members of congress. You should take any issues about which you are passionate to them because they represent you and you elect them to defend your interests.
Thanks for listening to the Azazel Podcast. Remember to subscribe on www.hazazel.com, Apple, Google, or wherever you get your podcasts.
I am Dr. Bobb Rousseau and in today’s episode, I discussed the differences between congress and state legislatures. By the end of this episode, you will know how crucial your state legislators are in shaping democracy in your state.
In the United States, laws are passed and official appointments are confirmed, at the federal level, by Congress or, at the state level, by state legislatures. Both Congress and state legislatures are bicameral except that of Nebraska. Bicameral means two chambers; the upper chamber, which is the Senate and the lower chamber, which is the House.
In America, there is one Congress but there are 50 state legislatures. Congress is composed of 535 members; 100 Senators and 435 Houses of Representatives. Senators are elected for 6 years and stagger their elections into three cycles so that a third of the Senate is up for election every two years. Members of the House of Representatives are elected and up for reelection every two years.
Each state elects two Senators. However the number of representatives depends on the size of the state. The bigger the state the more representatives it has in the house. California has the most Representatives in the House because it is the largest State in terms of population. One of the most important functions of Congress is electing the president of the United States after the general election. When Congress meets to vote, they are called the Electoral College. In another episode, I will go explain how the electoral college works.
State legislatures refer to legislative bodies that are parts of state governments. Their members are elected for two years. State legislatures are also called, general assembly, general court, legislative assembly, or even just legislature. The size of a state legislature depends on the number of districts that state has, meaning that the state legislatures do not have the same number of members. The more districts, more elected officials in the state legislatures. Districts are composed of counties. A district may have one more county. A county is made up of several cities into a type of administrative division managed by local governments. In another episode, I will discuss the structure of local governments.
Both congress and state legislatures have the authority to make laws but congress make laws for the republic whereas state legislatures make laws for their respective state. Laws made by congress are signed or vetoed by the president whereas laws passed by state legislatures are signed or vetoed by the state governor.
Far more laws are decided at the state level than at the federal level. Generally, laws that are passed at the federal level gained public support and have been passed in several states before. For example, same-sex marriage only became a popular policy after state-level organizers and state legislatures passed marriage equality bills.
The Tenth Amendment establishes the powers and functions of congress and state legislatures. It gives all powers not specifically given to Congress to either the states or the people. The Tenth Amendment is a part of the Bill of Rights. In another episode, I will explain the Bills of Rights and how they protect individual liberties and personal freedoms.
In summary, members of the U.S congress make laws for the country whereas members of the state legislatures make laws for their respective state.
Your state legislators or state lawmakers have much more power than members of congress. You should take any issues about which you are passionate to them because they represent you and you elect them to defend your interests.
Thanks for listening to the Azazel Podcast. Remember to subscribe on www.hazazel.com, Apple, Google, or wherever you get your podcasts.