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| | Encyclopedia: Congress of the United States |
 | | The Congress of the United States is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. |
 | | The enumerated powers of Congress include the authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, to levy taxes, to establish federal courts inferior to the Supreme Court, to maintain the armed forces, and to declare war. |
 | | On 4 July 1776, the Second Continental Congress declared thirteen former colonies independent states, referring to them as the "united States of America." Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress was a unicameral body in which each state was equally represented, and in which each state had a veto over most action. |
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