<P> The Congress was created by the Constitution of the United States and first met in 1789, replacing in its legislative function the Congress of the Confederation . Although not legally mandated, in practice since the 19th century, Congress members are typically affiliated to the Republican Party or to the Democratic Party and only rarely to a third party or as independents . </P> <P> Article One of the United States Constitution states, "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives ." The House and Senate are equal partners in the legislative process--legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers . However, the Constitution grants each chamber some unique powers . The Senate ratifies treaties and approves presidential appointments while the House initiates revenue - raising bills . The House initiates impeachment cases, while the Senate decides impeachment cases . A two - thirds vote of the Senate is required before an impeached person can be forcibly removed from office . </P> <P> The term Congress can also refer to a particular meeting of the legislature . A Congress covers two years; the current one, the 115th Congress, began on January 3, 2017, and will end on January 3, 2019 . The Congress starts and ends on the third day of January of every odd - numbered year . Members of the Senate are referred to as senators; members of the House of Representatives are referred to as representatives, congressmen, or congresswomen . </P> <P> Scholar and representative Lee H. Hamilton asserted that the "historic mission of Congress has been to maintain freedom" and insisted it was a "driving force in American government" and a "remarkably resilient institution". Congress is the "heart and soul of our democracy", according to this view, even though legislators rarely achieve the prestige or name recognition of presidents or Supreme Court justices; one wrote that "legislators remain ghosts in America's historical imagination". One analyst argues that it is not a solely reactive institution but has played an active role in shaping government policy and is extraordinarily sensitive to public pressure . Several academics described Congress: </P>

What is the difference between the congress and the legislature