As per the Constitution, the U.S. House of Representatives makes and passes federal laws. The House is one of Congress's two chambers (the other is the U.S. Senate), and part of the federal government's legislative branch.
What is the purpose of the Senate?
The framers of the Constitution created the United States Senate to protect the rights of individual states and safeguard minority opinion in a system of government designed to give greater power to the national government.
What is the difference between the Senate and the House of Representatives?
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives each represent a portion of their state known as a Congressional District, which averages 700,000 people. Senators however, represent the entire state.
Are filibusters allowed in the House?
At the time, both the Senate and the House of Representatives allowed filibusters as a way to prevent a vote from taking place. Subsequent revisions to House rules limited filibuster privileges in that chamber, but the Senate continued to allow the tactic.
Is Congress and the House of Representatives the same thing?
As per the Constitution, the U.S. House of Representatives makes and passes federal laws. The House is one of Congress's two chambers (the other is the U.S. Senate), and part of the federal government's legislative branch.
What three powers does the Senate have?
The Senate takes
action on bills, resolutions, amendments, motions, nominations, and treaties by voting
. Senators vote in a variety of ways, including roll call votes, voice votes, and unanimous consent.
What are the qualifications to be a senator?
The Constitution sets three qualifications for service in the U.S. Senate: age
(at least thirty years of age); U.S. citizenship
(at least nine years); and residency in the state a senator represents at time of election.
What can a senator help you with?
One of the most important things I can do for you as your United States Senator is
to serve as a liaison between you and the federal government
. My staff and I can answer questions, find resources, and help resolve issues that you may be having with federal agencies.
Whats the longest filibuster in history?
The filibuster drew to a close after 24 hours and 18 minutes at 9:12 p.m. on August 29, making it the longest filibuster ever conducted in the Senate to this day. Thurmond was congratulated by Wayne Morse, the previous record holder, who spoke for 22 hours and 26 minutes in 1953.
What did Strom Thurmond do for 24 hours and 18 minutes?
A staunch opponent of Civil Rights legislation in the 1950s and 1960s, Thurmond conducted the longest speaking filibuster ever by a lone senator, at 24 hours and 18 minutes in length, in opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
What is the filibuster in simple terms?
Filibuster, also known as talking out a bill, is a tactic of parliamentary procedure. It is a way for one person to delay or entirely prevent debate or votes on a specific proposal.
Why are there only 435 members of the House of Representatives?
Because the House wanted a manageable number of members, Congress twice set the size of the House at 435 voting members. The first law to do so was passed on August 8, 1911. … Finally, in 1929 the Permanent Apportionment Act became law. It permanently set the maximum number of representatives at 435.
Why is the House of Representatives a weak House?
The House of Representatives is referred to as the lower house of the United States Congress, because it has more Members than the Senate. It also has powers not granted to the Senate, like the ability to elect the President if the Electoral College is tied.
Why do we have two houses of Congress?
To balance the interests of both the small and large states, the Framers of the Constitution divided the power of Congress between the two houses. Every state has an equal voice in the Senate, while representation in the House of Representatives is based on the size of each state's population.
Who has power of the Senate?
The Senate shares full legislative power with the House of Representatives. In addition, the Senate has exclusive authority to approve–or reject–presidential nominations to executive and judicial offices, and to provide–or withhold–its “advice and consent” to treaties negotiated by the executive.
What can the Senate do that the House cant?
The House has several powers assigned exclusively to it, including the power to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President in the case of an electoral college tie. … The Senate has the sole power to confirm those of the President's appointments that require consent, and to ratify treaties.
