James Madison wrote to Thomas Jefferson:

“The constitution supposes, what the History of all Govts demonstrates, that the Ex. is the branch of power most interested in war, & most prone to it. It has accordingly with studied care, vested the question of war in the Legisl.”
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Washington worked with L’Enfant on plans for the capital. L’Enfant placed Congress on the highest spot, "an unmistakable message about the primacy of the people’s branch of government.” (Chernow) Washington agreed to the plan. L’Enfant wrote no site could rival it.
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The 2nd Continental Congress/Congress of Confederation (1781) was our gov’t for most of the Revolutionary War, more than 8 years, making all major decisions.  It adjourned in 1789, after adoption of our Constitution, and the U.S. Congress came into being.
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The 2nd Continental Congress met on May 10, 1775, after the battle of Lexington and Concord. It established the Continental Army and elected George Washington as commander. It became apparent to many in the Congress that peace with Britain would not be possible.

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And so it begins…

The first congress of the United States, representing 12/13 colonies (- Georgia) convened in Philadelphia on Sept. 5th in 1774 and met for 6 weeks. It tried to negotiate a relationship with Great Britain that acknowledged the rights of colonists.
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🧵The Levin Center is launching our #Congress250 campaign today!
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Congress 250 - Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy Celebrating 250 years since the Declaration of Independence and the role of Congress as our First Branch of Government.

As we near the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the @Levin_Center is launching #Congress250 on Jan. 12—celebrating Congress as the first branch with weekly Friday Facts.

Want to contribute a fact? Submit one and join us!

levin-center.org/congress-250/