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As secretary of state from 1789 to 1794 in the administrations of George Washington,

Jefferson revived a proposal he had originated as a member of Congress in 1783 to establish

reciprocal trade agreements with continental European nations and, in the face of British

restrictions on American commerce, to deny such benefits to the British. The proposal died in

Congress. His hopes for at least an evenhanded American approach to Britain and France

evaporated when the French envoy, Edmond Gent, appealed to the American public for amilitary alliance with revolutionary Francean indiscretion that made Washington decide to

remain neutral in the war between Britain and France.

After leaving office, Jefferson was disturbed by the administration's increasing friendliness to

Great Britain and by other policies promoted by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton

Microsoft Encarta 2006. 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

United States of America or United States

All legislative powers granted by the Constitution in Article I are exercised by the Congress

of the United States. Congress consists of two houses, the Senate and the House of

Representatives. The Senate contains 100 senators, 2 representing each statea provision of

the Constitution not subject to amendment. The 435 members of the House are elected by the

different states on the basis of their population at the most recent US census. California has

the largest number of representatives, 53; several states, such as Delaware and Vermont, have

only 1. Representatives serve two-year terms, and senators six-year terms. Every two years all

435 members of the House are elected, and one third of the senators. In presidential election

years about 45 per cent of eligible adults vote for members of Congress; in other election

years only about 35 per cent vote.

The Senate and House are organized by the majority party in each chamber, which chooses

the presiding officer, the majority leader, and the chairs of each committee. Through much of

American history the party controlling the White House did not control both houses of

Congress. This situation, known as divided government, can lead to reduced output of

legislation and an increase in presidential vetoes of bills passed by Congress. Unlike the chief

executives of parliamentary systems in other countries, the US president neither resigns nor

calls for new elections, even when majorities in Congress reject the presidents programmes.

Congress has extensive powers in domestic affairs, including the power to tax, borrow money

and pay debts, coin money and regulate its value, and regulate commerce among the states.

Congress helps to establish and oversee the departments and agencies of the executive branch;it also establishes the lower federal courts and determines their jurisdiction. Congress has the

power to declare war, raise and maintain the armed forces, establish tariffs, and regulate

commerce with foreign nations.

A bill is passed by Congress by majority vote of those present in each chamber; it is then sent

to the president. The president may sign the bill to indicate approval, or allow the bill to

become law without signing it; or may veto the bill and return it to Congress, giving reasons

for this action. The presidents veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the members of

Congress voting in each chamber.

Each house of Congress has some distinct powers. Revenue measures must originate in theHouse of Representatives. The House, with a majority vote, can initiate proceedings to

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impeach (charge with misconduct) the president. If the Electoral College cannot produce a

majority to elect a president, the House chooses one of the top three contenders. If both the

president and the vice-president die, are incapacitated, or are removed from office, the

Speaker of the House becomes president.

The Senate advises on and consents to presidential treaties and to nominations for majorexecutive officials, ambassadors, justices of the Supreme Court, and federal judges. The

Senate tries all impeachments, with a two-thirds vote necessary to convict. In the event of a

deadlock in the Electoral College, the Senate chooses the vice-president from the top two

contenders. The presidentpro tempore of the Senate comes after the Speaker of the House in

the line of succession to the presidency.

The legislative branch also includes agencies such as the Congressional Budget Office, the

General Accounting Office, the Library of Congress, and the Government Printing Office.

Microsoft Encarta 2006. 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.