Government - Differences between senate and house

Must be 25 years old

House

Must be a citizen for seven years

House

Cannot be arrested for civil crimes while they are meeting

Both

Elects its own officers at the beginning of each session

Both

Has the power to impeach or bring charges against a federal official

House

One third of this house is elected every two years

Senate

Must be at least 30 years old

Senate

Leader of this house is the Majority Leader

Senate

Conducts the impeachment trial

Senate

The former profession of most of their members is an attorney/lawyer

Both

Must live in the state from which they are elected

Both

Has law-making powers

Both

Must keep an official record of its proceedings

Both

Leader of this house is the Speaker

House

Elected every two years

House

Has 100 members

Senate

Mike Johnson (R-LA)

House

John Thune (R-SD)

Senate

Has 435 members

House

Districts can be redrawn

House

Introduces revenue bills

House

Confirms Cabinet members and other executive branch officials

Senate

Ratifies treates

Senate

According to the Constitution, presiding officer is VP

Senate

Confirms ambassadors

Senate

Rules allow for a filibuster

Senate

Has a personal staff to help them

Both

Uses a discharge petition in bill making

House

Limited debate on floor

House

Votes electronically on bills

House

Uses oversight to conduct investigations

Both

Their leader makes the most money

House

Speaker

Is most powerful because they are the face of congress

Uses a quorom to make sure enough members are on the floor

Both

Quorum - minimum number of people needed to do business

Committee chairman always majority party

Both

All amendments to bills must be germane

House

Germane - related to the bill

House requirements for office

• 25 years old

• must be a citizen for 7 years

• live in the state

House constituency

Districts

House details

• no term limit

• elected by popular vote

• members are more responsive to people because they are closer to them

• members are more responsible to people because they are up for election more frequently

House leaders

• Speaker of the house

• majority and minority leader

• majority and minority whip

Senate leaders

• President of senate (VP)

• President pro tempore

• majority and minority leader

• minority and majority whip

Standing committees

• 36 total

• permanent bodies with jurisdiction in a certain area, generally based on organization of executive departments

Joint Committees

• members of house and senate join together to examine certain subjects

• 4 total

Select/Special Committees

• are temporary and set up to investigate or research issues

• disbanded when issue/conflict is resolved

Conference Committees

• when bills are created, differences may occur between the house and senate versions

• these are set up to figure out how to iron out differences and create one official bill to present

Purpose of Committees

• allows congress to divide their work among smaller groups

• they choose which bills will be reviews and considered

• they hold public hearings and investigations, allowing the public to understand what is occurring

Senate requirements for office

• 30 years old

• 9 year resident

• live in the state

Senate Constituency

State

Senate details

• no term limit

• tied closely to state legislatures and were expected to represent their interests

• og elected by state legislature until 17th amendment