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SSCG9: The student will explain the
differences between the House of
Representatives and the Senate, with
emphasis on terms of office, powers,
organization, leadership, and
representation of each house.
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Every two years all of the members of the
House of Representatives and 1/3 of the
Senators are elected.
This two year period between elections is
called a “Congress.”
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Two sessions per term/Congress
Begin in January
Joint Session: House of Representatives and
the Senate meet together.
Special Session: The President may call a
special joint session of Congress even if they
have adjourned (ended) for the year.
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The political party that has the most
members in each house is known as the
majority party.
The political party that has fewer members is
called the minority party.
Two Houses
Senate and the House of Representatives
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Two house system allows each house to
‘check’ the actions of the other and helps
prevent Congress from passing laws in a
hurry.
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Membership
The number of Representatives each state
can elect is based on the size of that state’s
population.
Each state has at least 1 Representative.
435 total Representatives.
Every 10 years, after the census is taken,
Congress determines how the seats in the
House are to be apportioned, or distributed.
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a)
b)
c)
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Representatives must be:
At least 25 years old
A U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
A legal resident of the state they represent
Serve 2 terms
Elections are held in November of each evennumbered year.
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Speaker of the House
Elected from the majority party.
Presiding officer of the house.
No representative may speak until called on,
or recognized, by the Speaker.
Second in line of Presidential Succession.
Powers that only the House of Representatives
has:
a) Begin impeachment proceedings
b) Initiate bills to raise money (appropriation
bills)
c) Select president when no candidate receives
sufficient electoral votes
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Membership
Each state is represented equally.
2 members per state.
100 senators total.
Members are called senators.
Senators must be:
a) At least 30 years old.
b) A U.S. Citizen for at least 9 years.
c) A legal resident of the state they represent.
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Serve 6 year terms
One third (1/3) of the Senate’s membership
comes up for election every two years in
November.
Vice President
 According to the Constitution presides over the
Senate.
 Only votes to break a tie.
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President Pro Tempore
Fills in for the Vice President when necessary.
Third in line of presidential succession.
Customarily the most senior senator in the
majority party
Powers that only the Senate has:
 Hold impeachment trials.
 Select the vice president when no candidate
has sufficient votes.
 Approve treaties.
 Approve high officials. (Cabinet Members,
Supreme Court Justices, and Ambassadors).