What is the Difference Between Congress and Parliament?

The main difference between Congress and Parliament lies in their respective roles and functions within their governments, as well as their structures and how they operate. Here are some key differences:

1. Role and Function: Parliament, in the UK, serves as the forum for the formation and maintenance of the government, which is comprised primarily of ministers and deputies drawn from the majority party or block in the House of Commons. In contrast, the US Congress exists as a legislative and oversight forum whose policy preferences may or may not coincide with those of the separately elected government, that is, the presidency and the rest of the executive branch.
2. Structure: Both Congress and Parliament are bicameral, meaning they have two chambers. In the US, these chambers are the House of Representatives and the Senate. In the UK, the chambers are the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
3. Legislation: In the UK, most bills are introduced by the government, while only a small number of bills are put forward by Members of Parliament. In the US, Congress is responsible for introducing new bills, with thousands of bills introduced in any one session.
4. Party Discipline: Party discipline is traditionally stronger in the UK Parliament compared to the US Congress.
5. Legitimizing Legislation: In the UK, Parliament merely legitimizes legislation formed and designed by the executive. In the US, legislation is passed by Congress, with the president's State of the Union Address asking Congress to consider their ideas.
6. Election and Representation: Both Houses in the US Congress are directly elected by the American people, with each state having two members of the Senate and at least one member of the House of Representatives. In the UK, the House of Commons is elected by the people, while the House of Lords is appointed.

In summary, Congress and Parliament differ in their roles within their respective governments, their structures, how they operate, and their relationships with the executive branch. While Congress is more involved in introducing new bills and has a more significant influence on legislation, Parliament in the UK primarily serves as a forum for the formation and maintenance of the government.

Comparative Table: Congress vs Parliament

Here is a table outlining the main differences between Congress and Parliament:

Congress and Parliament both play crucial roles in the legislative branches of their respective governments, but they have distinct structures, memberships, and procedures.