Congress is a bicameral legislature. This means it is composed of two separate houses--the House of Representatives and the Senate. Those who designed these two bodies at the Constitutional Convention expected them to behave in different ways. Clues to these expectations can be found in the differences between these two bodies.
Congressional Age and Citizenship Requirements
They had different age and citizenship requirements. To be a member of the House, you have to be at least 25 years of age and a US citizen for at least seven years. To be a member of the Senate, you have to be at least 30 years of age and a US citizen for at least nine years. House members serve two-year terms; while Senators serve six-year terms that are staggered (1/3 of the Senate is elected every two years).
House and Senate Election Differences
House member are elected directly by voters in districts drawn by their State governments. Each district would contain approximately 30,000 people. These districts would be redrawn every 10 years after the census to reflect population shifts. After the 1920 census, the size of the House was capped at 435. So now, instead of the number of House members growing every 10 years, the population size of each district grows. Senators, on the other hand, were chosen by their state legislatures. This would be changed by the 17th Amendment to the Constitution in 1913. Now, the people of each state directly elect their Senators.
Different Responsibilities of the House and Senate
There are also some differences in the responsibilities given to each body. Revenue bills, or any bills that deal with raising money for the federal government, must be first introduced in the House before they can go to the Senate. And, only the Senate approves treaties and presidential appointments. In addition, for impeachment, the House brings the charges of impeachment and the impeachment trial takes place in the Senate. The Senate serves as the jury, deciding whether the accused is found guilty or not guilty of the charges. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over the trial.
The Founder’s Expectations for the House Versus the Senate
Taken together, these differences show us that our nation’s founders expected the Senate to be wiser, nobler, and more detached from the people. The House, on the other hand, was expected to be more in touch with the people. The House would respond well to the desires of the people, but also be more impulsive. The Senate would be slow to change to public opinion, but also prevent more radical shifts in public policy.
Napp Nazworth - I am a political scientist who specializes in American politics, religion and politics, political parties, interest groups, social ...
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