Famous American poet James Russell Lowell once said, “Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor” (“Quotations” 2011). And it should be just that. James Russell Lowell successfully defined democracy when it is in its truest form; a citizen's beliefs should be fairly represented and taken into account. Representative democracy established in the United States presents the need for three branches of government; they include the executive, legislative and judicial branches. Congress embodies the legislative branch of government, having “all legislative powers,” as stated in Article I of the Constitution. To prevent one state from having too much power over other states, Congress was separated into the House of Representatives and the Senate to have mutual checks and balances. Although they perform different functions in society, both legislative bodies play a very important role in representing the choices of both citizens and the government. The United States Congress was the result of two historical moments in the United States, the First and Second Continental Congresses. Long before he became president, James Madison wrote the Virginia Plan for Virginia governor Edmund Randolph to propose to the convention. It basically stated that Congress should be separated into two houses so as not to become tyrannical (Davidson 152). One of the chambers eventually became the House of Representatives and the other the Senate. By creating a bicameral legislative branch, the framers had to separate the tasks each house would perform and establish checks and balances so that one body did not have more power than the other. Each House has been presented with different responsibilities that are… at the center of the paper… a senatorial saucer to cool it” (Longley 2011).”Works CitedDavidson, James West. United States: A Narrative History. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 152-153. Print.Harrison, Brigid C. and Jean Harris. "Congress." A more perfect union. New York: McGraw Hill, 2011. 408-410. Print.Longley, Robert. "House and Senate: why we have a House and a Senate". About.com. Np, nd Web. November 22, 2011. "Citations." Book of Quotations. Np, nd Web. November 23, 2011."Responsibilities of Majority and Minority Leaders." United States Senate. Np, nd Web. November 22, 2011.Trethan, Phaedra. "About the United States Senate." About.com. Np, nd Web. November 23. 2011.