Questions and Answers
How does the Senate differ from the House?
The Senate has only 100 members, two from each state, and senators serve six-year terms.
What is meant by a 'continuous body'?
A political body in which all of the seats are never up for election at the same time.
What is a constituency?
The people and interests represented by a politician.
What is an incumbent?
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Compare the size of the Senate to the size of the House of Representatives.
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How were senators originally elected?
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What qualifications must one meet to be elected to the Senate?
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How does a senator's term differ from a representative's term?
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Study Notes
Differences between the Senate and the House
- The Senate consists of 100 members, with two senators from each state.
- Senators serve six-year terms, providing longer tenure compared to House members.
- Minimum age for a senator is 30 years; must have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years.
- Senators are often perceived as more insulated from public opinion, focusing on national issues.
Continuous Body
- The Senate is classified as a continuous body, meaning not all seats are up for election simultaneously.
Constituency
- Constituency refers to the group of people and interests that a politician represents in their role.
Incumbent
- An incumbent is the individual currently holding a specific political office.
Election Process for Senators
- Initially, senators were elected by state legislatures, not through popular vote.
- The Framers designed this system to cultivate a more stable and thoughtful legislative body distinct from the House.
- The 17th Amendment shifted this to direct elections by the populace, requiring statewide elections.
- Only one senator from each state is elected in a given election cycle.
Senators vs. Representatives
- Senators represent entire states, while House representatives are elected from specific congressional districts, creating broader representation in the Senate.
Qualifications for Senate Election
- Senators face stricter qualifications than House members, including age, citizenship, and residency.
- Informal qualifications influencing candidacy can be party affiliation, gender, ethnicity, public recognition, and incumbency.
- Successful Senate campaigns heavily rely on effective fundraising strategies.
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Description
Explore the key differences between the Senate and the House with these flashcards. Learn about essential terms such as 'continuous body', 'constituency', and 'incumbent'. Perfect for students studying American government concepts.
