Is The Senate More Powerful Than The House? Differences Between Senate And House

To understand the U.S Congress, you must understand its two main bodies. The Senate and the House of Representatives make up Congress. 

Both bodies serve the purpose of serving the people. They also work together in many cases for the better functioning of the countries.

However, as much as they are a branch of the government, some differences are noticed in some cases. 

This makes people ask, is the Senate more powerful than the House? To understand the answer to this, here are more details.

Is the Senate More Powerful Than the House?

Yes. The Senate is more powerful than the House. It is considered more prestigious and deliberative. This results from having longer terms, statewide constituencies, and smaller size.

Differences Between The Senate And The House

The Senate seats are assigned equally, with each state having two seats while the House seats by population.

This achieves that all state, whether big or small is well-represented. If a state has a big population, it will be represented accordingly in the House, and in the Senate, it will have two seats. 

The function and powers of the two bodies also vary.

For the House;

Each House of Congress is allowed to set its own rules. For the House, passing legislation requires numerical majority favor.

However, majority party leaders can control major policies and bills due to the numbers.

The House also has impeachment power. The House can impeach a president, vice president, federal officers, and federal judges.

For the Senate;

With the Senate having equal representation for each state, no state will be overpowered for being small. As a result, all votes are equal.

There is more power and options to explore for the Senate to slow a bill in progress. It includes keeping its debate open.

Majority leaders of parties in the Senate can also prioritize items but work with minority party leaders.

The vice president is also the president of the Senate. However, his powers lie in breaking a tie during a vote. 

The Senate is also allowed to set its own rules and choose officers.

The Senate has the power to try judges and impeach them. It extends to giving the Senate the power to impeach the president. However, in such cases, the Chief Justice presides over.

Conclusion

There is so much that goes on in the Senate and the House. Understanding how these two bodies function and relate to each other requires much time to learn. 

This brief shines on the major differences that set them apart. They also have some similarities to make them whole. The Senate and the House will work together in some areas.