Use this American Government by the People video entitled Congress: The Peoples Branch to understand how government works and to study how Congress plays a crucial role in our system of shared powers, controlling key decisions and constraining presidents, and how yet, over time, Congress has lost some influence as the presidency has gained influence. Discover how in the last two decades, Congress has become more capable as a policymaking competitor for presidents. Redistricting and reapportionment have shaped a Congress that somewhat more accurately reflects the population. Discover how Senators and representatives come primarily from middle and upper-middle-class backgrounds and how they are better educated than Americans as a whole. The typical member of Congress is still a middle-aged white male lawyer. Redistricting and reapportionment have shaped a Congress that somewhat more accurately reflects the population.