The vice president is considered the "president" of the Senate, though he or she is not required or even expected to attend most Senate sessions. The succession order in the federal government is president, vice president and then Speaker of the House, the leader of the representatives. The case is heard in a judicial forum, and punishment (a sentence) for those found guilty of "contempt of Congress" is handled strictly by the judicial system. Noncompliance with a congressional subpoena can carry up to a one-year jail sentence. If a simple majority approves, the privilege can be waived.Ĭongress has the power to subpoena any citizen. A senator can waive the privilege at any time, but a member of the House has to submit his or her petition to a general vote. ![]() This stipulation has been used by representatives and senators to avoid subpoenas and other judicial procedures. Members of Congress are deemed to be "beyond the power of arrest" while in office, except in cases of treason, murder, or fraud. However, the vote in the Senate has to represent "a significant majority," usually taken to mean 67 of the 100 votes. If approved, the Senate then serves as the investigative/judicial body to determine if the charges merit removing the accused official from his or her office. In cases of impeachment (e.g., Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998), the House determines if charges can be brought against the official, and a simple majority vote approves or rejects the filing of charges (the impeachment process). The Senate, on the other hand, has sole power of approval on foreign treaties and cabinet and judicial nominations, including appointments to the Supreme Court. Any proposal to raise taxes must come from the House, with Senate review and approval. The House plays a major role in government, mainly that of initiating all revenue-based legislation. House of Representatives and Senate over the years. Federal and Supreme Court rulings have overturned gerrymandering efforts that have been perceived to be based on race, but otherwise some districts have been reconfigured to give one or another party an extreme political advantage, thus allowing that party to secure more power in the state and in the House of Representatives.Ī line graph showing which political parties have controlled the U.S. Gerrymandering is used at the state legislature level to create districts that overwhelmingly favor one party. However, as district borders were never defined definitively, they can and often do stretch into peculiar shapes due to a practice known as gerrymandering. The Reapportionment Act of 1929 set the final number of the House at the current 435, with district sizes adjusted according to population growth. While there are 100 seats in the Senate (two senators from each state), there are 435 seats in the House of Representatives (one representative from each of the various congressional districts, with the number of congressional districts in each state determined by the population). Republican (48), Democratic (48), Independent (2) The President of the Senate takes over on his behalf.ĭemocratic (219), Republican (211), 5 vacant seats Nancy Pelosi (D) (Speaker) elected by the House of Representatives. So only 34 or 33 senators are up for election at one time. Only 1/3 of the senate seats are elected every two years. All 435 seats are up for reelection every two years.Ħ years. The six year term means the Senate can be slower and consider the long-term effects of laws.Ĥ35 voting members, 6 non-voting members: 5 delegates, 1 resident commissionerĢ years. Laws dealing with revenue must start in the House. ![]() Responds to the needs of the people faster since representatives only have a two year term. ![]() The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States Congress. It is frequently referred to as the House. The United States House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the United States Congress. Differences - Similarities - House of Representatives versus Senate comparison chart
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