2.1 Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives

Two Chambers, Two Designs

The Constitution creates a bicameral legislature. The House of Representatives (435 members) has 2-year terms, representation based on state population, and originates revenue bills. The Senate (100 members, 2 per state) has 6-year staggered terms, giving it more stability, and equal state representation reflecting the Great Compromise.

Institutional Differences Shape Behavior

The House's larger size and shorter terms make it more responsive to constituents but require stricter rules (like the Rules Committee and limited debate) to manage floor action. The Senate's smaller size allows more unlimited debate, enabling tactics like the filibuster, which can be stopped only by a cloture vote (60 votes).

Committees Drive the Work

Most legislative work happens in committees, where bills are studied, amended, or killed. Standing committees are permanent and policy-specific; conference committees reconcile differing House/Senate bill versions. Committee assignments and leadership positions (like committee chairs) give members influence and enable oversight of the executive branch.

Key terms

Bicameral legislature

A two-chamber legislature; in Congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic of extended debate used to delay or block a vote on legislation.

Cloture

A Senate procedure requiring 60 votes to end a filibuster and proceed to a vote.

Standing committee

A permanent congressional committee that specializes in a specific policy area and reviews related bills.

Conference committee

A temporary joint committee formed to reconcile differing House and Senate versions of a bill.

Try an AP-style question

Why were senators given six-year terms?

1. To match presidential terms
2. To make them more responsive
3. To insulate them from short-term opinion
4. To limit their power