What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

The U.S. Congress is fundamentally structured into two distinct parts, which are the House of Representatives and the Senate. This bicameral arrangement was established in the Constitution and plays a crucial role in the legislative process.

The House of Representatives is often referred to as the lower chamber, where representation is based on the population of each state, thereby allowing larger states to have more representatives. On the other hand, the Senate is considered the upper chamber, with each state, regardless of size, having equal representation of two senators. This balance was intentionally designed to ensure that both the populace and the states have a voice in the legislative process.

The other options reflect different branches or aspects of government. For example, the judiciary is a separate branch of government that interprets laws, while the executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws. The legislative and judicial options also do not correctly represent the structure of Congress itself, as they refer to different branches rather than the components of Congress specifically. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the essential legislative bodies that work together to create and pass laws in the United States.