A congressperson is a member of the United States Congress, the part of our federal government that makes laws for the entire country. Congress has two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. People often use congressperson to refer specifically to members of the House of Representatives, though technically it can mean anyone serving in either chamber.

Each state sends congresspeople to Washington, D.C., based on its population. California, with almost 40 million people, sends 52 representatives to the House, while Wyoming, with far fewer people, sends just one. Every state gets exactly two senators regardless of size. Members of the House serve two-year terms, so voters can replace them relatively quickly if they're unhappy with their work.

The job involves proposing new laws, debating them with other members, and voting on whether they should become official. A congressperson might work on bills about education, national parks, technology, defense, or thousands of other topics. They also represent their constituents, the people who live in their district or state, by listening to concerns and trying to address problems that matter to their communities.

You might also hear the terms congressman or congresswoman, which mean the same thing but specify gender.