House vs. Senate: Understanding the Legislative branch

Legislative Branch

To make/write the laws of the United States

Congress

The legislative body of the United States, consisting of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives

Size: 435 Members; Representation: Determined by State Population; Constituency: Congressional District.

Senate

Size: 100 Members; Representation: Equal - 2 members per state; Constituency: State.

Senate Qualifications

30 years old, citizen for 9 years, resident of the state.

Senate Term Length

6 years.

Senate Term Limits

None.

House Qualifications

25 years old, citizen for 7 years, resident of the state.

House Term Length

2 years.

House Term Limits

None.

House Method of Election

Popular Vote (By the People).

Senate Method of Election

Popular Vote (By the People); initially elected by state legislators until the 17th amendment changed that.

House Unique Powers

Initiate Impeachment Charges; Initiate all revenue (tax) bills.

Senate Unique Powers

Try all impeachments; Ratify Treaties; Confirm presidential appointments (Cabinet, ambassadors, judges, etc.).

Shared Powers of Congress

Declare War; Coin Money; Levy Taxes; Introduce Bills; Regulate Commerce; Pass a Budget.

Additional Shared Powers of Congress

Raise an Army/Navy; Issue Patents/Copyrights; Set Punishments; Establish Post Office; Create Courts; Set Naturalization Rules (Citizenship).

Legislative Oversight

Congressional powers include oversight over the other branch's activities as part of checks and balances.

Examples of Oversight

Holding hearings or conducting investigations into the Executive Branch/bureaucracy; controlling bureaucratic funding through the budget process.

Supreme Court Justices

Congress can set the number of justices on the Supreme Court.