(initial capital letter) 1  the national legislative body of the U.S., consisting of the Senate, or upper house, and the House of Representatives, or lower house, as a continuous institution. 2  this body as it exists for a period of two years during which it has the same membership: the Ninety-Seventh Congress.
1769 in the US federal judicial branch. Longer explanation: Legislative branch: There are 435 members of the House of Representatives and 100 Senators. Judicial branch: Congress authorizes a set number of judge positions, or judgeships, for each court level. Since 1869, Congress has authorized 9 positions for the Supreme Court.
Power of the Legislative Branch. The legislative branch, including both the House and the Senate, is given extensive powers by the Constitution. The legislative branch is the only branch that can create laws or change existing laws. Once a bill is passed through the legislative branch the president must sign the bill in order for it to become a law.