18 Difference Between The Senate And The House

1.  The House was intended to be more vibrant, faster moving and closer to the people. The Senate was intended to be the more deliberative body, impacted less by the winds of politics and more given to in-depth examination. 2. The Senate has 100 members while the House 435. 3. Seats apportioned: The House: Based on the population of each state The Senate: Two for each state 4. Constitutional Powers: The House: Initiates all revenue bills (Art. I, sec. 7) Initiates (and passes or defeats) articles of impeachment (Art. I, sec. 2) The Senate: Gives "advice and consent" to treaties (Art. II, sec. 2) and to major presidential appointments (Art. II, sec. 2) Tries impeached officials (Art. I, sec. 3) 5. The Senate: They serve six-year terms and have a tradition of unlimited debate. The House: They serve two-year terms and have strict limits on how long each member can speak. 6. The Senate has an aristocratic tradition while the House is more democratic and closer to the population. 7. History: The House: Based on Virginia Plan The Senate: Based on New Jersey Plan 8. The House: Members are highly specialized The Senate: Members are generalists 9. The Senate votes to approve treaties and Presidential appointments. Bills of Appropration (fundraising and budget) must start in the House. 10. The Senate is chaired by the Vice President who is not a member while the House is chaired by the Speaker of the House. 11. Type: The House: Lower house. The Senate: Upper house. 12. Senate: If no single candidate gets a majority of votes for Vice President, the Senate decides between the top two contenders. House: If no single candidate gets a majority of votes for President, the House decides between the top two contenders.