this may be a dumb question, but why

[clydefrand]

is the House of Representatives called 'congress'? Congress is made up of the SENATE and THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTITIVES.
It seems to me you should just refer to the HOUSE or Senate.

[LisaLynne]

1. I agree that it would be more clear.

So, no answers - I just agree.

[cynatnite]

2. When I say congress, I'm referring to both. n/t

[BumRushDaShow]

3. It's the dumbed-down media he keeps pushing this. nt

[onenote]

7. You mean the dumbed down media of the 19th Century?

The shorthand reference to the House of Representatives as Congress (as distinct from using Congress to refer to the House and Senate together) dates back at least to the 19th Century.

[yuiyoshida]

4. Its intersting that

Congressmen come from the house...and Senators come from the Senate.. is that right or not?

[clydefrand]

5. No, that is NOT right

Representative come from the 'house'. You have Senators and Representatives.

[yuiyoshida]

6. okay thanks for the clarification

That confused me for a bit.

[Wounded Bear]

8. Except that she's right...

In the common usage, that is how it is said. Incorrect, of course, but that is how they are referred to in the media and in most situations. And it isn't new.

[CTyankee]

9. FWIW...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress