The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government — the body responsible for writing, debating, and passing the laws that shape the nation. Created by the Constitution in 1789, Congress is designed to balance power, represent the people, and ensure that no single branch of government becomes too dominant. What gives Congress its peculiar charm—if charm is the right word for a building where policy and politics constantly wrestle—is the way it blends ancient procedural rules with very current disputes. Filibusters, committee markups, closed-door negotiations, last-minute amendments: it’s a mix of theater, strategy, and genuine attempts at governance.
Reporters who cover the place learn quickly that the real action often happens in hallways, not just on chamber floors. Despite the noise and the occasional gridlock, Congress remains the central arena where national priorities are shaped. Energy policy, defense spending, civil liberties, healthcare, immigration—every major issue eventually wanders through these halls. That’s part of why correspondents follow every twist so closely. A single hearing or late-night vote can shift the direction of policy affecting millions.
