14 Congress

Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are 100 Senators, two from each state. One third of the Senators are elected every two years for a six-year term of office. The Senators represent all of the people in a state and their interests.

The House of Representatives has 435 members. They are elected every two years for a two-year term. They represent the population of “congressional districts” into which each state is divided. The number of Representatives from each state is based upon its population. For instance, California, the state with the largest population, has 45 Representatives, while Delaware has one. There is no limit to the number of terms a Senator or a Representative may serve.

Congress makes all laws, and each house of Congress has the power to introduce legislation. Each house can also vote against the legislation passed by the other house. Because legislation only becomes law if both houses agree, compromise between them is necessary. Congress decides upon taxes and how money is spent. In addition it regulates commerce among the states and with foreign countries. It also sets rules for the naturalization of foreign citizens. (1050)

Notes to the text:

the House of Representatives – палата представителей

term of office – срок службы

congressional districts – избирательные округа

the number of - количество

for instance - например

Delaware – штат Делавэр

to introduce legislation – представить на рассмотрение законопроект

decides upon - выносит решения о

naturalization – натурализация (процедура присвоения гражданства)

15 Senate and the House of Representatives

The legislative branch – Congress – consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each Senator is elected for six years and each Representative for two years, with no limitation on the number of terms.

Each of the 50 states elects two Senators. One third of the Senate is elected every two years. A Senator must be older than 30 years old and must have been an American citizen for at least nine years.

The House of Representatives has 435 members. Each state is divided into congressional districts, that is districts with equal population for elections to Congress. Voters of each district elect one Representative to Congress. A member must be older than 25 years of age and must have been an American citizen for at least seven years.

Both Houses of Congress must pass bills before they become law. The Senate alone approves the President’s candidates for high-level official positions and ratifies treaties with other nations. (1000)

Notes to the text:

the number of terms – количество сроков

one third – одна третья часть

must have been – должен быть

at least - по крайней мере

16 The Duties of the usa President

The President of the United States is chosen in a national election for a four-year term of office and may be re-elected for a second term. He must be a native-born citizen at least 35 years old. He gets salary and extra money for expenses and for official entertainment and is provided with a home and office at the White House.

As head of the Executive branch, the President must carry out the government programmes adopted by Congress. He recommends programmes and laws to Congress and requests money for federal government operations. If a President “vetoes” or refuses to sign a bill passed by the congress, his veto may be rejected by a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress. The President appoints federal judges, ambassadors and hundreds of government officials. If a President dies, resigns or becomes permanently disabled, the Vice President takes his duties until the next election. (750)

Notes to the text:

term of office - срок службы

may be re-elected – может быть переизбран

a native-born citizen – коренной житель

at least – по крайней мере

extra money – дополнительные деньги

carry out - выполнять

vetoes – налагать вето, запретить

by a two-thirds vote – двумя третьими голосов

resigns – уходит в отставку

becomes permanently disabled – становится постоянно недееспособным