ISC Class 12 · The Legislature

The US Congress and the Comparison of Lok Sabha with the House of Representatives (ISC Class 12)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The US Congress is the legislature of the USA, made up of the House of Representatives (435 members, two-year term) and the Senate (100 members, six-year term). It makes laws, amends the Constitution, controls the executive through oversight, impeachment and confirmation, and has judicial, electoral and financial functions. The Lok Sabha resembles the House in being popularly elected, but is more powerful over the executive.

Understand US Congress: Composition and Functions, and Lok Sabha Compared with the House

Why this topic matters. The syllabus asks for the composition (strength, method of election and tenure) and functions of the legislatures in India and the USA, and for the comparison of the Lok Sabha with the House of Representatives. This page covers the American side and the Lok Sabha comparison; the Senate and the Rajya Sabha are on the next page.

1. Meaning. The legislature is the organ of government that makes laws and, in most systems, controls the executive and controls finance. In the USA it is Congress (Article I of the Constitution), a bicameral body.

2. The House of Representatives.

Strength: 435 voting members. Seats are shared among the states in proportion to population, according to the census held every ten years; each state has at least one seat. (There are also non-voting delegates for some territories and for the capital.)
Method of election: directly by the voters of single-member districts, mostly by plurality (first past the post). The qualification is 25 years of age, seven years a citizen, and residence in the state.
Tenure: two years; all seats are up for election together. The House cannot be dissolved earlier.
Presiding officer: the Speaker, elected by the House.

3. The Senate (covered in more detail on the next page).

Strength: 100, two from each state regardless of size.
Election: directly by the voters of the state (since the Seventeenth Amendment, 1913; earlier by state legislatures).
Tenure: six years; one-third retire every two years, so the Senate is a continuing body. Qualification: 30 years of age, nine years a citizen.
Presiding officer: the Vice-President, who votes only to break a tie.

4. Functions of Congress.

1. Legislative. Makes laws on the subjects the Constitution gives to the Union (for example, taxation, commerce among the states and with foreign nations, coinage, post offices, declaring war, raising armies). A bill must pass both Houses in the same form and be signed by the President, or the President's veto must be overridden by a two-thirds vote in each House.
2. Constituent. Proposes amendments by a two-thirds vote in both Houses and can call a convention on application of two-thirds of state legislatures.
3. Executive (control over the executive). Since the executive is separate from Congress, control comes through: committee investigations and hearings; the Senate's power to confirm or reject high appointments and to approve treaties; the power of the purse (money cannot be spent without appropriation); and impeachment.
4. Judicial. The House impeaches (a simple majority) and the Senate tries; conviction needs two-thirds of the Senators present. Congress also creates federal courts below the Supreme Court and decides their number and jurisdiction.
5. Electoral. If no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, the House chooses the President from the top three candidates, each state having one vote; the Senate chooses the Vice-President from the top two (Twelfth Amendment).
6. Financial. Imposes taxes, borrows money and appropriates funds. Bills raising revenue must originate in the House (the Senate may propose amendments).

5. Lok Sabha compared with the House of Representatives.

Basis	Lok Sabha (India)	House of Representatives (USA)
Strength	Maximum 550 (at present 543)	435
Election	Direct, by first past the post	Direct, mostly by plurality in single-member districts
Tenure	Five years; can be dissolved earlier; extendable in emergency	Two years; fixed, no dissolution
Qualifying age	25 years	25 years
Presiding officer	Speaker	Speaker
Control over the executive	Can remove the government by a no-confidence vote	Cannot remove the executive; may impeach
Financial powers	Money bills originate only in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha can only recommend	Revenue bills originate in the House; the Senate can amend them
Relation to second House	Dominant	Equal in most matters

Caution. Do not state that the House of Representatives can pass a no-confidence motion. The American executive does not depend on Congress for survival.

US Congress: Composition and Functions, and Lok Sabha Compared with the House: key facts

House of Representatives: 435 members
Two-year term
Direct election from districts
Age 25
Speaker presides; All seats are elected together.
Senate: 100 members
Two per state
Six-year term
One-third retire every two years
Age 30
Vice-President presides; Direct election since the Seventeenth Amendment (1913).
Functions of Congress: Legislative
Constituent
Executive control
Judicial
Electoral
Financial; Use as headings in a long answer.
Lok Sabha versus House: Tenure five years versus two years
Strength 543 versus 435
Dissolution possible versus none
Control of executive no confidence versus none; Use as the comparison bases.

Tenure	five years versus two years
Strength	543 versus 435
Dissolution	possible versus none
Control of executive	no confidence versus none

How to answer US Congress: Composition and Functions, and Lok Sabha Compared with the House questions

Questions are either "composition and functions of Congress" (6 marks) or "compare Lok Sabha with the House of Representatives" (4 to 6 marks).

1Name the two Houses with strength, method of election and tenure for each.
2List the six functions as headings and explain each in one line.
3For the executive function, give at least three controls: committees, confirmation or treaty approval, appropriations, impeachment.
4For a comparison, use the same bases for both Houses: strength, election, tenure, dissolution, control over the executive, financial powers.
5Mention that the House cannot remove the American executive.

US Congress: Composition and Functions, and Lok Sabha Compared with the House in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Short term and frequent accountability

Suppose a school elects all of its eleven house captains afresh every year, while the prefects' council keeps part of its members for longer terms with some retiring each year.

Which American House does each body resemble, and what does this show about tenure?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

A body that is wholly re-elected every short term resembles the House of Representatives, with two-year terms.
A body with some members retiring each period resembles the Senate.
The short term of the House keeps its members closer to voters.

Answer: The captains resemble the House; the prefects resemble the Senate.

Memory hook: House: all in, all out; Senate: one-third at a time.

Power of the purse

Imagine a student club treasurer who cannot spend any money until the club's general body has approved a budget line for it.

Which function of Congress is this like, and how does it control the executive?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The general body approving each spending line resembles Congress appropriating funds.
Without approval, the officer cannot spend, so the executive is restrained.

Answer: It resembles the financial function; control over appropriation is one way Congress checks the executive.

Memory hook: No appropriation, no spending.

Tricks to remember US Congress: Composition and Functions, and Lok Sabha Compared with the House

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

House numbers: 4-3-5, 2 years
435 seats, 25 years, two-year term.
Use it when: Recall of House facts.
Congress functions: L-C-E-J-E-F
Legislative, Constituent, Executive control, Judicial, Electoral, Financial.
Use it when: Heading order.
Impeach and convict
House impeaches, Senate convicts by two-thirds.
Use it when: Stops mixing the Houses.

US Congress: Composition and Functions, and Lok Sabha Compared with the House: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Tenure of the House · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

What is the term of a member of the House of Representatives?
(a) Two years
(b) Four years
(c) Five years
(d) Six years

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Two years (1 mark).

Answer: (a) Two years

Example 2: Composition · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

State the strength and the method of election of the House of Representatives. (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

435 members (1 mark).
Direct election from districts by the voters; seats shared among states by population (1 mark).

Answer: The House of Representatives has 435 voting members who are directly elected by the voters of single-member districts, with the seats distributed among the states in proportion to their population after each census.

Example 3: Assertion and reason · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): The House of Representatives cannot remove the American executive by a vote of no confidence.
Reason (R): In the American system the executive is not drawn from or responsible to the legislature.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Both true; R explains A (1 mark).

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Example 4: Executive control · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

In what ways does Congress control the American executive? (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Committee hearings and investigations (1 mark).
Senate confirmation and treaty approval (1 mark).
Control of appropriations (1 mark).
Impeachment (1 mark).

Answer: Congress controls the executive through (i) committee hearings and investigations into the working of the departments; (ii) the Senate's power to confirm high appointments, such as judges, ambassadors and heads of departments, and to approve treaties by a two-thirds vote; (iii) its control over taxation and appropriations, since money cannot be spent without its approval; and (iv) the power of the House to impeach and of the Senate to try the President and other officers.

Example 5: Comparison · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Compare the Lok Sabha with the House of Representatives on strength, tenure, relation with the executive and financial powers. (6 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Strength (1.5 marks).
Tenure (1.5 marks).
Executive (1.5 marks).
Financial powers (1.5 marks).

Answer: Strength: the Lok Sabha has a maximum of 550 members (543 at present), while the House has 435.

Tenure: the Lok Sabha lasts five years unless dissolved earlier, and can be extended in an emergency; the House has a fixed two-year term and cannot be dissolved.

Executive: in India the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, which can remove it by a no-confidence vote; the House cannot remove the American executive, although it can impeach.

Financial powers: money bills in India originate only in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes; in the USA revenue bills originate in the House, but the Senate may amend them and has an equal say, so the House is less dominant over its second chamber.

Where students lose marks in US Congress: Composition and Functions, and Lok Sabha Compared with the House

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Giving the House a six-year term
Mixing it with the Senate.
Wrong working
Members of the House serve for six years.
Right working
House: two years; Senate: six years.
Do this: Remember "House two, Senate six".
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Saying Congress can remove the President by a no-confidence vote
Applying the Indian system.
Wrong working
The House passes a no-confidence motion against the President.
Right working
Only impeachment by the House and conviction by two-thirds of the Senate.
Do this: State "impeachment" explicitly.
Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks.
Mistake: Listing functions without explanation
Only headings.
Wrong working
Legislative, constituent, executive, judicial, electoral, financial.
Right working
Add one line of explanation to each function.
Do this: Each heading plus a line.
Usually costs: 2 marks of 6.

Exam tips

For composition, always give strength, method of election and tenure for each House.
Give six functions of Congress with an example each.
In the executive control function, give at least three means.
In a comparison, mention that the Lok Sabha can be dissolved and the House cannot.

Practice questions on US Congress: Composition and Functions, and Lok Sabha Compared with the House

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Which Amendment provided for the direct election of Senators?
(a) Tenth
(b) Twelfth
(c) Seventeenth
(d) Twenty-second
Hint
1913.
Answer
(c) Seventeenth Amendment.
Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level
How does Congress exercise its electoral function? (2 marks)
Hint
Twelfth Amendment.
Answer
If no Presidential candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives chooses the President from the top three candidates, each state casting one vote; the Senate chooses the Vice-President from the top two candidates.
Q3 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level
Assertion (A): The Lok Sabha can be dissolved before the end of its term, but the House of Representatives cannot.
Reason (R): The Indian Council of Ministers depends on the confidence of the Lok Sabha, while the American executive has a fixed term.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Hint
The form of government explains both facts.
Answer
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Q4 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Explain the legislative and the judicial functions of the US Congress. (4 marks)
Hint
Law-making, veto override; impeachment.
Answer
Legislative: Congress makes laws on subjects within Article I, such as taxation, trade between states and with other nations, coinage and war; a bill must pass both Houses and be signed by the President, or become law over the President's veto by a two-thirds vote in both Houses. Judicial: the House of Representatives impeaches by a simple majority, and the Senate tries the case and convicts by two-thirds of the Senators present; this applies to the President, the Vice-President, and other civil officers, including federal judges. Congress also creates the lower federal courts.
Q5 · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Suppose a bill raising a tax is passed by the House in one form and by the Senate with amendments. Describe what must happen before it becomes law in the USA, and say how this differs from the position of money bills in India. (6 marks)
Hint
Both Houses same form; President; compare money bill.
Answer
The two Houses must agree on one identical text; usually a conference committee of members of both Houses prepares a compromise that each House then votes on. The bill then goes to the President, who may sign it, making it law, or veto it; Congress can override the veto by a two-thirds vote in each House. In the USA the Senate has real power to amend a revenue bill, although the bill must originate in the House. In India a money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha has 14 days to return it with recommendations, which the Lok Sabha may accept or reject, and if it is not returned within 14 days it is deemed passed. The Rajya Sabha thus cannot block or amend a money bill, so the Indian second chamber is much weaker on finance than the American Senate.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.How many members does the House of Representatives have?Show answer
435.
2.What is the term of a Representative?Show answer
Two years.
3.What is the term of a Senator?Show answer
Six years.
4.Who presides over the House of Representatives?Show answer
The Speaker.
5.Which House impeaches the President?Show answer
The House of Representatives.

US Congress: Composition and Functions, and Lok Sabha Compared with the House: frequently asked questions

Is the House of Representatives the lower House?

Yes, it is the popularly elected House of Congress, with 435 voting members.

Can Congress remove the President?

Only by impeachment and conviction, for treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanours.

Is the American Congress equal in power to the Indian Parliament?

It is different: Congress controls law-making and finance but cannot dismiss the executive, while Parliament can.

How often are House elections held?

Every two years.