All legislative powers were vested in the Congress of the United States, which consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. This is established by Article I, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution. Congress is the only part of the government that can make new laws or change existing laws, and no bill can become law without passing both houses of Congress. This bicameral legislature represents both the people and the states and exercises legislative authority such as enacting laws, declaring war, regulating commerce, and controlling taxing and spending policies.