The Two Houses

Chapter 10 Sections 2 & 3

The House of Representatives

• Seats apportioned among states depending on population

• Members elected every 2 years• Seats are reapportioned every 10

years following a census– Average 650,000 persons per seat

• Congressional districts are drawn by state legislatures

• Gerrymandering- when the party that controls state legislature draws district lines that advantage them

Qualifications for House Members

1. At least 25 years of age2. Citizen of U.S. for at least

7 years3. Inhabitant of the state• Can refuse to sit someone

by majority vote• Can punish members for

“disorderly behavior”

The Senate

• Two senators from each state• 6 year terms• Members originally chosen by

state legislatures– 17th Amendment (1913) changed

that

• More “prestigious” than House

• Many members have presidential ambitions

Qualifications for Senators• At least 30 years of age• Citizen of U.S. for at least

9 years• Inhabitant of state from

which he or she is elected• Can exclude members by

majority vote• Can punish members for

disorderly behavior