Smokey Case

Congress is made up of two different, but equal, chambers, the House of

Representatives and the Senate. They share the same institution, however, they

have distinguishing features that sets them apart in their own right. The House of

Representatives members are chosen from local districts, within the Senate they are

chosen from an entire state. Members of the House have two-year terms, and

Senators have six, provided for in the Constitution.

The House has 453 voting members, while the Senate has just

100. Members of the House receive less prestige and less individual notice as

Senators have more prestige and media attention. The House has local or narrow

leadership while, the Senate has National leadership. Members of the House may

impeach federal officials, while the Senate may convict federal officials of

Impeachable offenses.

The Senate usually permits extended debate on all issues that arise before it,

While the House operates with an elaborate system in which it's Rules Committee

normally proposes time limitations on debate for any bill. This said, the House

despite it's larger size, with time limits for debate, often is able to act on legislation

more quickly than the Senate.