National Congress of Brazil

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Type
Type	Bicameral
Houses	Chamber of Deputies Federal Senate
Term limits
Established
Disbanded
Preceded by
Succeeded by

The National Congress of Brazil (Portuguese: Congresso Nacional do Brasil) is the legislature of Brazil. It is a bicameral body composed of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. The National Congress is located in the capital city of Brasília, in the Federal District.

History

The National Congress was established with the promulgation of the first Brazilian Constitution in 1824, during the Empire of Brazil. Initially, it was a unicameral body, but it became bicameral with the creation of the Senate in 1826. The current structure of the National Congress was established with the Constitution of 1988, following the end of the military dictatorship.

Structure

The National Congress is divided into two houses:

Federal Senate

The Federal Senate is composed of 81 senators, three from each of the 26 states and the Federal District. Senators are elected for eight-year terms, with elections staggered so that one-third and two-thirds of the seats are up for election every four years.

Chamber of Deputies

The Chamber of Deputies consists of 513 deputies, who are elected to four-year terms. The number of deputies per state is proportional to the state's population, with a minimum of eight and a maximum of 70 deputies per state.

Functions

The National Congress is responsible for the legislative process in Brazil. It has the power to draft, discuss, amend, and approve laws. The Congress also oversees the federal budget, approves international treaties, and has the authority to impeach the President and other high officials.

Legislative Process

The legislative process in Brazil involves several stages:

1. Proposal: A bill can be proposed by members of Congress, the President, the Supreme Federal Court, or citizens through popular initiative.
2. Discussion: The bill is discussed in committees and then in the plenary sessions of both houses.
3. Approval: A bill must be approved by both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
4. Presidential Sanction: Once approved, the bill is sent to the President, who can either sanction or veto it.
5. Promulgation: If sanctioned, the bill becomes law and is promulgated.

Location

The National Congress is located in the Praça dos Três Poderes in Brasília, designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer. The building is a symbol of modernist architecture and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Brazil.

Also see

• Politics of Brazil
• President of Brazil
• Supreme Federal Court (Brazil)
• Constitution of Brazil
• History of Brazil