King of the Hill: Senate or House?
by Kitty Felde
Becka announced that she was the group leader before I could even sit down. She bragged that her mother was the chief of staff for a senator, which meant her mom was the boss of his office and since senators were so much more important than congressmen, that meant she was more important than me. I decided to steer clear of Becka.
Chapter 7: Welcome to Washington Fina Mendoza
““You see, in Washington they have these bodies, Senate and the House of Representatives. That is for the convenience of the visitors. If there is nothing funny happening in one, there is sure to be in the other, and in case one body passes a good bill, why, the other can see it in time and kill it.””
Why Two Sets of Lawmakers?
The Senate . . . was intended that it should resist the hasty, intemperate, passionate desire of the people. -George Hoar, 1897
As the Constitutional Convention was debating what sort of government it wanted, Virginia delegate George Mason had a vision: one house would be the “grand depository of the democratic principle of government.” This became the House of Representatives, the place where Fina's father works.
Fellow Virginian James Madison had another idea: create a second, smaller group of lawmakers designed to be deliberative and independent. This became the Senate.
But which is more important? Or more powerful?
Since this is Congress, let the debate begin.
(photo courtesy of Kitty Felde)
The Senate
Some argue that the Senate wins hands down.
It's a smaller group of lawmakers: 100 Senators compared to 435.
Senators ratify treaties and confirm the appointment of judges (including those on the U.S. Supreme Court.)
Senators serve six year terms. House members must run for re-election every other year.
A number of Senators "graduated" from the House of Representatives. Of the 12,506 people who have served in Congress over the years, 683 Senators ALSO served in the House. (Just don't suggest the House serves as the minor leagues.)
The Senate gives tiny states the same power as larger ones. That means Vermont has the same clout as Fina's home state of California.
(engraving courtesy of the U.S. Senate)
The House
I don't think anyone is closer to the voters in Washington than members of the House of Representatives." - Judy Woodruff
House members scoff at any suggestion that their side of the legislature is any less important.
The House holds the purse strings. Money bills originate in the House.
The House acts as a government watchdog. Its duty is to investigate and conduct oversight into matters of importance.
House members are more likely to know their constituents. Each represents about 710,000 people. Compare that to California's Senators who represent nearly 40 million people.
House members are often younger, with newer ideas and more familiarity with technology. House members can be as young as 25. Senators must be at least 30 years old.
(photo courtesy of House of Representatives is that of Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first minority woman elected to the House)The House
So who's more important? Senators or House Members?
YOU decide.
Put the question to your students: who's the King (or Queen) of Capitol Hill? And why?
Email the essays and answers to us: info@chesapeakepress.org and we'll feature them here.