The 119th United States Congress convened on January 3, 2025, beginning its two-year term as the current meeting of the federal legislative branch. The bicameral body consists of the United States Senate as the upper chamber and the House of Representatives as the lower chamber, together holding constitutional authority to create and pass federal legislation.

The House of Representatives comprises 435 voting seats allocated among the 50 states based on population distribution determined by the decennial census. Additionally, six non-voting delegate positions represent U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. According to current composition data, these six non-voting delegates are evenly split with three Democrats and three Republicans.

The Congress began its session during the final 17 days of President Joe Biden's administration, creating a transition period before the incoming presidential administration takes office on January 20, 2025. This timing places the early weeks of the 119th Congress during a period of executive transition, which historically influences legislative priorities and procedural considerations.

Both chambers of Congress operate under the constitutional framework established in Article One, which grants them the power to make federal law, regulate interstate commerce, control government spending, and provide oversight of executive branch agencies. The Senate, with its equal representation of two senators per state regardless of population, serves as a check on the population-based representation model of the House.

The composition and leadership structure of the 119th Congress will determine committee assignments, legislative priorities, and the procedural rules governing debate and voting on federal legislation over the next two years. The body will address ongoing policy challenges including federal budget appropriations, regulatory oversight, and responses to national and international developments during its term.