There are two chambers of United States Congress. The House of Representatives, often referred to as the "lower house", and the Senate referred to as the "upper house". Each chamber requires members or representatives to form a caucus. Proposed laws, also called a bill, must have a majority vote and be signed by the president before it becomes a law.
The House of Representatives, known as the "lower house" is made up of 435 members. These members are dispersed according to population. Each state is required to have at least one house seat. To be eligible for one of these seats, one must be at least 25 years old, be a citizen of the United States for at least seven years, and live in the state in which they are …show more content…
The Senate ensures the balance of power between the small and large states. The Senate must consist of two senators from every state and is directed by the Vice President (Congress, 2004). In order to be eligible for one of these members, senators must be at least thirty years of age, citizens of the United States for at least nine years, and reside in the state they represent. Members of the Senate are elected to serve a six-year term. The Senates has many responsibilities including, confirming presidential appointments to federal judges and ratify treaties. Senate members also sit as jury members at trials to impeach. The chief justice of Supreme Court conducts this trial. A two-thirds majority is necessary for removal after a conviction. Much like the House of Representatives, the Senate is also responsible for lawmaking ("Senate", 2004). Conclusion
The House of Representatives and The Senate make up Congress. The Constitution states that Congress must meet every January. During these meetings laws are being voted on and passed on to the President. A two-thirds vote by both chambers is required for a vetoed bill to be reconsidered. Members of both chambers play an important role in the impeachment process of a President. The House Of Representatives can initiate impeachment, while the Senate sits as a jury in the impeachment