U.S. Government and Civics / Unit 6: Congress
6.1 Structure of Congress
Notes
Congress is bicameral: it has two houses, set up by Article I.
| House of Representatives | Senate | |
|---|---|---|
| Members | 435 (based on state population) | 100 (2 per state) |
| Term | 2 years | 6 years, staggered |
| Minimum age | 25 | 30 |
| Citizenship | 7 years | 9 years |
| Represents | A district | A whole state |
- Every state has at least one representative.
- About one-third of the Senate is up for election every two years, so the Senate changes more slowly.
- A new Congress begins every two years after the House election (for example, the 118th, 119th).
- Senators were chosen by state legislatures until the 17th Amendment (1913) required election by voters.
- Members must live in the state they represent.
Practice
A 27-year-old who has been a citizen for 10 years wants to run for Congress. She is eligible for:
The House requires age 25; the Senate requires age 30.
Why does the Senate change membership more slowly than the House?
Staggered six-year terms create continuity.
How many senators does a state with a very large population have?
Every state has exactly two senators, regardless of population.
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