Final answer:
The House of Representatives and the Senate have three major differences: size, term length, and rules and procedures. The size of the House allows for better representation of the population, while the smaller size of the Senate promotes focused discussions. The difference in term length affects the responsiveness and long-term policy-making abilities of each house, and the different rules and procedures determine how legislation is debated and passed.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are three major differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate:
- Size: The House has 435 members, while the Senate has 100 members. This difference in size affects the functioning of each house because it means that the House is more representative of the population, with each member representing a smaller number of constituents. On the other hand, the Senate allows for more focused and deliberative discussions due to its smaller size.
- Term Length: Members of the House serve two-year terms, while Senators serve six-year terms. This difference in term length affects the functioning of each house because members of the House need to be more responsive to their constituents since they face more frequent elections. Senators, on the other hand, have more time to focus on long-term policy-making and building relationships with other lawmakers.
- Rules and Procedures: The House has stricter rules and procedures compared to the Senate. For example, the House has a Rules Committee that controls the flow and amendment process of legislation, while the Senate allows for more individual members' input and filibusters. These differences affect the functioning of each house because they determine how legislation is debated, amended, and passed.