House and Senate Structure

The U.S. Congress is divided into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Together, they share the responsibility of making federal laws, while also representing different interests in the national government.House vs. Senate: How Congress’s Two Chambers Shape American Lawmaking

House and Senate Basics

The House has more members and two-year terms, making it the chamber more directly tied to current public opinion. The Senate has equal representation for each state and six-year terms, which gives it more continuity and a more deliberate pace.House vs. Senate: How Congress’s Two Chambers Shape American Lawmaking

Elections and Representation

Because Senate terms are staggered, only one-third of senators are up for election at a time. This structure helps preserve stability while the House changes more quickly through its two-year election cycle.Why Only One-Third of the Senate Is Up Each Election