The two subjects compared in the passage are "the House of Representatives and the Senate."
In the passage, the two subjects being compared are the "House of Representatives" and the "Senate."
1. House of Representatives:
- Main Focus: The House of Representatives primarily focuses on domestic issues within the United States.
- Control Over Government's Purse Strings: The House holds significant power over the government's finances by creating tax and spending bills.
- Representation: The number of House members from each state is determined by its population. This means more populous states have more representatives, while less populous states have fewer representatives.
- Election Cycles: All seats in the House are up for election every two years, leading to relatively rapid turnover of members.
- Responsiveness: Each representative speaks for a smaller and more localized group of people, making the House more responsive to the needs of their constituents.
2. Senate:
- Influence on Foreign Affairs: The Senate has more influence over foreign affairs compared to the House.
- Primary Responsibility: The main responsibility of the Senate is to provide advice and consent to the President by voting on treaties and confirming cabinet and judicial nominees.
- Equal Representation: Each state is represented by two Senators, regardless of its population. This means that all states have equal representation in the Senate.
- Terms and Stability: Senators serve six-year staggered terms, providing greater stability compared to the House. They are further removed from local interests and influences.
- Representation: The Senate was designed to represent and safeguard the interests of landowners and other elites.
Comparison:
The passage highlights the contrasting features of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House is designed to be a more responsive and reactive body, focusing on domestic issues, and its members represent smaller, localized groups of people. On the other hand, the Senate is intended to be more stable and deliberative, with a focus on foreign affairs, and its members represent states equally, regardless of population.
However, despite their distinct roles and characteristics, the passage emphasizes that both the House and the Senate are meant to work together to carry out the essential legislative business of the federal government. Their collaboration ensures the functioning of a balanced and effective legislative branch.