The Legislative
Branch
Senate and House of
Representatives
Structure of the
Legislative Branch
The legislative branch is called Congress,
which is bicameral, meaning it has two
chambers:
1.Senate (Upper House)
2.House of Representatives (Lower
House)
Both chambers work together to make laws, but they have distinct roles a
structures.
Senate
- Membership: 100 senators (2 per state), regardless of popula
- Term Length: Senators serve six-year terms, with elections st
so about one-third of the Senate is up for election every two ye
- Powers:
o Approves treaties negotiated by the President.
o Confirms presidential appointments (e.g., Supreme Court ju
Cabinet members).
o Conducts trials for impeached officials.
- Structure: Less hierarchical and formal than the House. Senat
generalists, focusing on broad issues like foreign policy.
House of Representatives
- Membership: 435 voting members, distributed among states
on population. States with larger populations have more
representatives.
- Term Length: Representatives serve two-year terms, meaning
seats are up for election every two years.
Branch
Senate and House of
Representatives
Structure of the
Legislative Branch
The legislative branch is called Congress,
which is bicameral, meaning it has two
chambers:
1.Senate (Upper House)
2.House of Representatives (Lower
House)
Both chambers work together to make laws, but they have distinct roles a
structures.
Senate
- Membership: 100 senators (2 per state), regardless of popula
- Term Length: Senators serve six-year terms, with elections st
so about one-third of the Senate is up for election every two ye
- Powers:
o Approves treaties negotiated by the President.
o Confirms presidential appointments (e.g., Supreme Court ju
Cabinet members).
o Conducts trials for impeached officials.
- Structure: Less hierarchical and formal than the House. Senat
generalists, focusing on broad issues like foreign policy.
House of Representatives
- Membership: 435 voting members, distributed among states
on population. States with larger populations have more
representatives.
- Term Length: Representatives serve two-year terms, meaning
seats are up for election every two years.
