The House of Representatives and Senate:
What’s the Difference?
The United States Congress consists of two legislative bodies, the House
of Representatives and the Senate. There are many similarities between
these institutions. Representatives and Senators are directly elected by the
public (see Capitol Visitor Center essay “Who Elects our Senators?”). Passing
legislation requires the agreement of both the House and Senate. There are
chambers for both in the U.S. Capitol. Given these commonalities, are there
really differences between the House and Senate?
Let’s begin to answer that question by reading the Constitution. Look at Article 1, Sections 2 and
3. Notice that members of the House are elected every two years, whereas senators are elected for
six-year terms. Do they share the same age and citizenship requirements? House members must
be twenty-ve years of age and citizens for seven years. Senators are at least thirty years old and
citizens for nine years. Another difference is who they represent. Senators represent their entire
states, but members of the House represent individual districts. The number of districts in each state
is determined by a state’s population. Each state has a minimum of one representative in Congress.
The House and Senate have evolved into very different bodies. They have entirely separate rules
and ways of conducting business.
Today, Congress consists of 100 senators (two from each state) and 435 voting members of the
House of Representatives. The terms of ofce and number of members directly affects each
institution. With four times the membership, the House follows procedures closely and limits
debate. Debate is nearly unlimited in the Senate and all members have an opportunity to
inuence legislation. Senators feel less pressure to move quickly on issues.
Party leaders and committees function differently in the House and Senate as well. The House
elects a Speaker (Article 1, Section 2) who exerts great control. The Speaker is in charge of
the calendar (what bills are debated and when that occurs) and inuences the House Rules
Committee in deciding the legislation to be considered. The Senate does not have a position
similar to Speaker. In the Senate, the majority and minority leaders generally work together in
consultation with all members to determine the schedule.
Every two years the entire membership of the House of Representatives is elected. Members vote
on the rules that apply for the next two years at the beginning of each new Congress. Only one-
third of senators are elected every two years (two-thirds of the senators remain current members).
Therefore, the Senate is a “continuous body.” The Senate does not adopt rules every two years
but depends more on tradition and precedent when determining procedure.
ESSAY
1
Why did the founders place different requirements in the Constitution for members of the
House and Senate?
2
According to the Constitution, what other responsibilities, in addition to writing legislation, are
specified for the House and Senate?
3
Suppose each member of the House could speak on an issue for 15 minutes. What would be the
length of the debate? Is lengthy debate desirable or undesirable? Under what circumstances?
The House of Representatives and Senate:
What’s the Difference?
STUDY QUESTIONS
4
What is meant by majority or minority leaders in paragraph five?
5
It is often said that the House of Representatives runs by majority rule whereas in the Senate,
the rights of the minority are upheld. How do the following examples illustrate majority rule or
minority rights?
a. A majority of House members can always vote to defeat a minority proposal and pass a bill.
b. A new senator is opposed to a bill and asks that it not be placed on the calendar.
6
What is the meaning of the term “precedent,” in paragraph six?
The House of Representatives and Senate:
What’s the Difference?
STUDY QUESTIONS
1
The founders intended the House to
be closest to the people (hint: keep in
mind members of the Senate were not
directly elected by voters until the 17th
Amendment passed in 1913) and most
responsive to their constituents. How?
They must run for office often and
generally represent fewer people. Senators
are expected to be more experienced and
less influenced by the ebb and flow of
popular opinion. With a smaller number
of members, they can take their time to
carefully consider and debate issues.
2
All bills that raise money must originate in
the House of Representatives. The House
has the power to impeach (formally accuse)
while the Senate tries impeachments. In
addition, the Senate approves treaties and
certain presidential appointments, such as
ambassadors and Supreme Court Justices.
3
If each voting member spoke for 15
minutes, to be followed immediately by
another speaker, nearly 109 hours of time
would be required. That translates into
eleven ten-hour days of non-stop speeches.
Debate is important when considering
contentious issues. Nevertheless, given
the reality of our large House, members
often choose knowledgeable colleagues
who represent a point of view supported by
others to speak on their behalf.
4
The majority leader is elected to lead
the party with the greatest number of
members. The minority leader heads
the party with fewer members. We have
a two-party system which means that
most members of Congress are either
Republicans or Democrats.
5
Example (a) illustrates majority rule as the
numerical majority always has ultimate
control of whether or not to pass a bill.
Thus, the wishes of the majority members
are followed. The second example (b)
demonstrates minority rights. The senator,
who may have a different opinion than the
majority of members, can request that a bill
not be considered for debate or vote.
6
According to the New Oxford American
Dictionary (2010), precedent is “an earlier
event or action that is regarded as an
example or guide to be considered in
subsequent similar circumstances.” The
Senate uses precedent to decide how to
proceed with legislation and other business.
The House of Representatives and Senate:
What’s the Difference?
ANSWERS
SOURCE:
Oleszek, Walter J., Congressional Procedures and Policy Process, 9th Edition, Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 2013.