Name: 	AP U.S. Government and Politics 

Comparison: U.S. House and U.S. Senate 

Constitutional Differences 

Apportionment of seats 

Term length 

Method of election (in 
original Constitution 
and as amended by 17th 
amendment) 

Qualifications 

House 

Senate 

Role in impeachment 

Power over treaties 

1

Constitutional Differences 

Authority over 
presidential 
appointments to 
executive and judicial 
posts 

House 

Senate 

Organizational Differences 

Current size 

Leadership structure 
established by the 
Constitution (including 
real vs. ceremonial 
power, roles of leaders, 
etc.) 

House 

Senate 

Party leadership 

2

Organizational Differences 

Number of standing 
committees 

Total committee assignments per 
member 

Rules Committee 

House 

Approx. 6 

Senate 

Approx. 11 

Limits on floor debate