Final answer:
The House of Representatives committee system is crucial due to its large size, allowing committee members to perform a more in-depth policy review. Senate committees are smaller and their decisions are more advisory, resulting in additional discussions. House committees wield significant influence over the legislative process, with decisions often upheld by the full chamber.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the House of Representatives, the committee system plays a significant role due to the large number of representatives. With 435 members and only twenty standing committees, committee members can engage in a more in-depth review of policies. This specialization in the House allows for a distribution of work where committees delve into issues in greater detail and their decisions are generally deferred to by the full House. In contrast, Senate committees tend to operate differently due to the smaller size of the Senate, which is made up of 100 members and sixteen standing committees. Senators view committee decisions as recommendations rather than final decisions, leading to further discussion and potential amendments on the Senate floor. The importance of committees is paramount in the House because of the sheer volume of issues that need to be addressed and the structure that facilitates specialized and detailed review of legislation. Compared to the Senate, committee influence and decisions often carry more weight in the House, where party leadership and membership in committees can significantly shape the legislative process and the political career of representatives.
The differences between the House and Senate in terms of size, term length, and operational rules contribute to how each chamber processes legislation, with the House historically showcasing stronger party leadership and a more majoritarian system.