US Congress explained: What are the House of Representatives and the Senate?

The US Congress is the country’s federal legislature, made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both are directly elected by voters, and legislation generally requires approval from both chambers before it can become law.

The two institutions, however, differ sharply in size, membership, terms and how they conduct business. Those differences are central to understanding the balance of power President Donald Trump faces in Congress.

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The House has 435 voting members, with each representative serving a two-year term. The number of representatives each state gets is based on its population, with every state guaranteed at least one representative. House members must be at least 25 years old and have been US citizens for at least seven years.

The Senate has 100 members, with two senators representing each state. Senators serve six-year terms, with about one-third of the chamber elected every two years. They must be at least 30 years old and have been US citizens for at least nine years.

House vs Senate: What is the difference?

The House is designed to represent smaller geographic districts and has a much larger membership. Its procedures therefore place tighter limits on debate. The House elects a Speaker, who has significant influence over the chamber’s schedule and the legislation considered.

The Senate operates with a smaller membership and allows considerably more extensive debate. It does not have an equivalent of the House Speaker. Its majority and minority leaders generally work with senators to determine the chamber’s schedule, while Senate procedure relies heavily on tradition and precedent.

The two chambers also have distinct constitutional powers. Bills that raise revenue must originate in the House. The House has the power to impeach federal officials, while the Senate conducts impeachment trials.

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The Senate also has powers the House does not, including approving treaties and certain presidential appointments, including ambassadors and Supreme Court justices.

Because the entire House faces voters every two years while only about one-third of senators do, the Senate is considered a “continuous body”. Together, the two chambers determine whether legislation advances, making their composition particularly significant for Trump’s legislative agenda.