The House and Senate must cooperate to legislate, but they represent the country differently and operate under different rules.
Two chambers, two logics
The House’s 435 voting seats are apportioned by state population and elected every two years. The Senate gives every state two senators serving staggered six-year terms. Revenue bills begin in the House; treaties and most presidential nominations go to the Senate.
From idea to statute
Members introduce bills, which are usually referred to committees. Committees gather information, hold hearings, revise text, and decide whether to report legislation. The House and Senate must pass identical language before a bill goes to the president.
- Most introduced bills never receive a floor vote.
- Committee and party leaders strongly influence the schedule.
- A conference committee may reconcile House and Senate versions.
- Appropriations provide legal authority to spend federal money.
Oversight
Congress investigates executive administration through hearings, reports, subpoenas, audits, confirmation proceedings, statutory reporting requirements, and control of appropriations. Oversight can expose failures, refine legislation, or become a venue for partisan conflict.
The people in the room
Members act simultaneously as national lawmakers, party members, committee specialists, and representatives of particular states or districts. These roles often pull in different directions.