The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature made up of two chambers—the House of Representatives and the Senate—and they differ in size, representation, terms, and powers.
Representation and size
- The House has 435 voting members, with each state's number of representatives based on its population (larger states get more seats). Representatives are often called "congressmen" or "congresswomen" and represent smaller districts within a state.
- The Senate has 100 members, exactly two per state regardless of population, so a small state like Wyoming has the same number of senators as California. Senators represent their entire state.
Terms of office
- Representatives serve two-year terms, with the entire House up for election every two years.
- Senators serve six-year terms, staggered so that only about one-third of the Senate is up for election in any given cycle.
Age and citizenship requirements
- Representatives must be at least 25 years old, U.S. citizens for at least 7 years, and residents of the state they represent.
- Senators must be at least 30 years old, U.S. citizens for at least 9 years, and residents of the state they represent.
Special powers and roles
- The House has the exclusive power to initiate revenue (tax) bills and to impeach federal officials (including the president), and it elects the president if no candidate wins a majority in the Electoral College.
- The Senate has the exclusive power to try impeachment cases (acting as a jury), confirm presidential nominations (such as cabinet members, federal judges, and Supreme Court justices), and ratify treaties by a two-thirds vote. It also elects the vice president in the rare case of an Electoral College tie for that office.
Leadership
- The House is led by the Speaker of the House, elected by its members.
- The Senate is led by the Vice President of the United States (who only votes to break ties) and a President Pro Tempore, with the Senate Majority Leader typically directing floor action.
Both chambers must pass identical versions of a bill for it to become law, reflecting the framers' intent to balance popular representation with equal state representation.