House vs Senate

US Constitution

Serving as the foundation of the US government, the US Constitution was ratified in 1788.
It outlines the division of government into three branches: legislative, judicial, and executive.
The Constitution employs a system of checks and balances to ensure no single branch gains too much power.
Its characteristic feature – the Bill of Rights – outlines and guarantees civil liberties.
To date, there have been 27 amendments made to the Constitution, demonstrating its flexibility and ability to change with time.

Federalism is one principal feature of the Constitution, dividing power between federal and state governments.
The system of Separation of Powers ensures that no single branch controls too much power.
The principle of Checks and Balances allows each branch to limit or check the power of the others.
The notion of Popular Sovereignty ensures the authority of government comes from the people.

The Constitution defines responsibilities for both the Federal Government and the States.
It’s based on the principle of Federalism, where power is divided between state and federal government.
Issues not expressly covered in the constitution are assumed to fall under the governance of individual states – shown through the Tenth Amendment.
Some powers are shared between the federal and state governments - these are known as concurrent powers.

Federalism can allow for innovation and flexibility in policy-making at a state level.
It fosters competition and allows a degree of policy experimentation.
On the flip side, it can lead to inequalities and confusion due to lack of consistent policies across the states.
Federalism has also been a source of tension between State and Federal law, particularly in cases related to issues like immigration and drug policy.

Unlike the US, the UK has an unwritten constitution.
The US constitution is rigid and requires a special procedure for amendments, while in the UK, changes can be made through Parliament.
The US follows a federal system while the UK is unitary.
Separation of powers is more distinct in the US than in the UK, where the head of the government is also a member of parliament.

Consists of two houses – the House of Representatives and the Senate.
House of Representatives has 435 members based on each state’s population, while the Senate has 100 members, with each state being represented by two Senators.
Terms for House members are two years, and for Senate members are six years.

Power to make laws is vested in Congress.
It has the power to impeach the President, declare war, and confirm or reject Presidential appointments.
The Senate has special functions not performed by the House, such as the ratification of treaties.

The House is larger than the Senate and therefore seen as more representative of the population.
The Senate is sometimes called the ‘upper house’ and is considered a more prestigious body.
The House initiates all revenue bills, and impeachment proceedings are also launched there.
The Senate has ‘advice and consent’ powers, which include ratifying treaties and confirming important Presidential appointments.