United States Congress, Bicameral legislature in Capitol Building, Washington DC, United States
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature composed of the Senate with 100 members and the House of Representatives with 435 elected officials. Both chambers operate within the Capitol Building, a neoclassical structure with a white dome that sits atop Capitol Hill and houses offices, committee rooms, and the two main legislative halls.
The bicameral system was created through the Constitutional Convention and came into effect on March 4, 1789, following the earlier Continental Congress that represented the colonies from 1774. The Capitol Building was first occupied in 1800, suffered a fire set by British troops in 1814, and was later rebuilt and expanded multiple times.
During legislative sessions, elected officials gather in the chambers to debate and vote on bills, surrounded by paintings and sculptures that reflect the tradition of representative government. Visitors can watch from galleries when the chambers are in session, observing how political decisions unfold in a formal setting.
Tours through the building must be reserved ahead of time and run on weekdays and Saturdays, with visitors guided through the rotunda and other public spaces. Security screenings resemble those at airports, so plan extra time to enter and avoid bringing prohibited items.
Below the Capitol Building runs a subway system with small automated cars that transport members between office buildings and the legislative chambers. This internal transport network has been operating since the early 1900s and allows members to reach votes quickly.
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