Comparison of the Senate and the House

?
  • Created by: Isabella
  • Created on: 23-04-14 21:27

Comparsion of the Senate and the House

Similarities

  • HOUSE EXCLUSIVE POWERS
  • Initiate money bills- able to start Bills to do with the budget etc. At first, the House was the only house directly elected by the people so the Founding Fathers believed they had the right to decide how to spend the people's money.
  • Power of impeachment- most significant. The House can formally accuse any member of the executive and judicial branches of the federal government- used 19 times since 1789- the most recent being that of Thomas Porteous,a Judge from Louisiana, on the charge of making false financial statements
  • Electoral college deadlock- If no candidate wins an absolute majority of Electoral College votes, the House elects the President. Used twice- 1800 and 1824

Differences

  • SENATE EXCLUSIVE POWERS
  • The power to confirm in a simple majority appointments made by the Presidential, from appointments to heads of executive departments to judges of the Supreme Court
  • Power to ratify treaties- In a 2/3 majority, is able to ratify a treaty negotigated abroad by the President, eg the Panama Canal Treaty by Carter. The President must keep Senate up to date with negotiations throughout process
  • Once the House has formally accused, the Senate tries to the case of impeachment, and if found guilty the person is removed from office. For example, Clinton was acquitted by the Senate in 1999.

Overall comparison

However, the Houses have five co current powers, and thus are designed to be co equal: Bills pass through both houses at the same time, and neither house can overrule the other, and the same Bill must be agreed by both, Both houses must have a 2/3 majority to override a Veto (eg Water Resources Bill with Bush in 2007), Initiating constitutional amendments- 2/3 majority needed in both houses before being sent to the states, Concur in declaration of war- used 5 times (eg in 1941 after Pearl Harbour attack) and both house must confirm a new Vice President (eg Gerald Ford in 1974).In passage of legislation, both have equal rights in deciding the laws and both receive the same salary- $174.000. So overall, neither house is more powerful then the other and despite it being suggested that the Senate is more prestigious, they are overall equal.

Comments

No comments have yet been made