What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

The U.S. Congress is composed of two distinct parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. This bicameral structure was established by the U.S. Constitution to create a system of checks and balances within the legislative branch. Each chamber has its own unique responsibilities and powers.

The Senate is made up of two senators from each state, regardless of the state's population, serving staggered six-year terms. This arrangement ensures equal representation for each state in the legislative process. The House of Representatives, on the other hand, is composed of representatives whose number from each state is based on population, with members serving two-year terms. This system reflects the diverse interests of the country and allows for more direct representation of the electorate.

This two-part structure is fundamental to how legislation is proposed, debated, and passed, and it helps to ensure that both individual states and the overall population are fairly represented in the law-making process. Other options, such as executive and legislative branches or comparisons to foreign parliamentary systems, do not accurately describe the composition of the U.S. Congress.