Differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate

U.S. CONGRESS – Bicameralism HOUSESENATE Size Term Age Resident of State Years of US Citizenship Voted in by…

U.S. CONGRESS – Bicameralism HOUSESENATE Size435 (apportioned by population) 100 (equal per state) Term Age Resident of State Years of US Citizenship Voted in by…

U.S. CONGRESS – Bicameralism HOUSESENATE Size435 (apportioned by population) 100 (equal per state) Term2 years6 years ( 1/3, Continuous Body ) Age Resident of State Years of US Citizenship Voted in by…

U.S. CONGRESS – Bicameralism HOUSESENATE Size435 (apportioned by population) 100 (equal per state) Term2 years6 years ( 1/3, Continuous Body ) Age2530 Resident of State Years of US Citizenship Voted in by…

U.S. CONGRESS – Bicameralism HOUSESENATE Size435 (apportioned by population) 100 (equal per state) Term2 years6 years ( 1/3, Continuous Body ) Age2530 Resident of StateYes Years of US Citizenship Voted in by…

U.S. CONGRESS – Bicameralism HOUSESENATE Size435 (apportioned by population) 100 (equal per state) Term2 years6 years ( 1/3, Continuous Body ) Age2530 Resident of StateYes Years of US Citizenship 79 Voted in by…

U.S. CONGRESS – Bicameralism HOUSESENATE Size435 (apportioned by population) 100 (equal per state) Term2 years6 years ( 1/3, Continuous Body ) Age2530 Resident of StateYes Years of US Citizenship 79 Voted in by…Constituency (Single Member Districts) Constituency (At Large)

Questions A person wants to be Senator for Arizona. If they live in Arizona but work in Nevada can they do so? A person wants to be Senator for Arizona. If they live in Arizona but work in Nevada can they do so? Who is the leader of the House? Who is the leader of the House? Who is the leader of the Senate? Who is the leader of the Senate? Who serves in the absence of the Senate Leader? Who serves in the absence of the Senate Leader? Where do they stand in terms of Presidential Succession? Where do they stand in terms of Presidential Succession? What is the difference between Single- Member Districts and At-Large elections? What is the difference between Single- Member Districts and At-Large elections?

At Large The entire voting population votes for two representatives to represent the state in the Senate The entire voting population votes for two representatives to represent the state in the Senate Elected members represent the entire state, not just a single district Elected members represent the entire state, not just a single district

Single Member Districts States are broken up to provide each district representation in the House of Representatives States are broken up to provide each district representation in the House of Representatives Each district is apportioned equally every ten years after the census is taken Each district is apportioned equally every ten years after the census is taken A single member is elected in each voting district for the House A single member is elected in each voting district for the House Elected members represent the constituency of their district AND the state Elected members represent the constituency of their district AND the state Reapportionment Act of 1920 – reapportion every 10 years Reapportionment Act of 1920 – reapportion every 10 years Districts lines are made by State legislatures Districts lines are made by State legislatures

The difference… Single Member Districts Single Member Districts At Large At Large

Apportionment What is ApPORTIONment? What is ApPORTIONment? What about Gerrymandering? What about Gerrymandering? District boundaries change every 10 years, but what must remain the same in every district? District boundaries change every 10 years, but what must remain the same in every district? Wesberry vs. Sanders, 1964

Facts of the Case James P. Wesberry, Jr. filed a suit against the Governor of Georgia, Carl E. Sanders, protesting the state's apportionment scheme. The Fifth Congressional District, of which Wesberry was a member, had a population two to three times larger than some of the other districts in the state. Wesberry claimed this system diluted his right to vote compared to other Georgia residents.

Wesberry vs. Sanders, 1964 Question Presented Did Georgia's congressional districts violate the Fourteenth Amendment or deprive citizens of the full benefit of their right to vote?

Wesberry vs. Sanders, 1964 Conclusion The Court held that Georgia's apportionment scheme grossly discriminated against voters in the Fifth Congressional District. Because a single congressman had to represent two to three times as many people as were represented by congressmen in other districts, the Georgia statute contracted the value of some votes and expanded the value of others. The Court recognized that "no right is more precious" than that of having a voice in elections and held that "[t]o say that a vote is worth more in one district than in another would not only run counter to our fundamental ideas of democratic government, it would cast aside the principle of a House of Representatives elected 'by the People...'"

All of the following are differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate EXCEPT… A. Size of their membership in Congress. B. Length of their terms. C. Method of Election D. Size of their constituency

The Answer Is… A House = 435, Senate = 100 House = 435, Senate = 100 B House = 2 years, Senate = 6 years House = 2 years, Senate = 6 years C BOTH ELECTED BY THEIR CONSTIUENCY BOTH ELECTED BY THEIR CONSTIUENCY D Constituency Size (people they represent) Constituency Size (people they represent) House = district within a state, Senate = state House = district within a state, Senate = state