Senate vs House of Commons
The difference between the Senate and House of Commons is an important topic in the field of public governance. Both terms represent two significant institutions in public governance and are commonly associated with the British Parliament and the United States, respectively. While they both represent the legislature of a country, they differ in terms of composition, function, and power.
Key Takeaways
- The House of Commons is the lower chamber of Parliament, while the Senate typically constitutes the upper house of Parliament.
- The number of members in the House of Commons is larger in comparison to the number of members in the Senate.
- While both houses have their own individual legislative functions, the House of Commons has the power to introduce bills pertaining to taxation and supply, while judicial and ambassadorial appointments require the consent of the Senate.
What is House of Commons?
The House of Commons traditionally refers to the lower chamber of Parliament in a nation, though not every country’s legislature carries this name. Two examples are the British House of Commons, which is composed of 650 elected members, and the Canadian House of Commons, comprised of 308 elected members. These members represent specific provinces or constituencies in the nation. Members of the British House of Commons are elected for a term of five years, and the party that holds the majority of seats typically represents the government in power, with the leader of this party appointed as Prime Minister.
Legislative functions of the House of Commons include introducing bills relating to taxation, money supply, or other vital matters. Some types of bills may be presented for Royal assent without the approval or review of the upper house, such as the House of Lords.
What is Senate?
The Senate is an assembly or council of people having the highest deliberative and/or legislative powers in a country, often referring to the upper chamber of Parliament in certain countries like the United States, Australia, Canada, and France. For example, the United States Senate makes up the upper house of Congress and is composed of 100 members, with two members from each state elected for a term of six years. This term is staggered so that every two years, one-third of the Senate membership is subject to an election. The Senate has the power to consent to international treaties before ratification and the power to consent to judicial appointments and appointments of ambassadors and diplomats. The term “Senate” is derived from the Latin term “Senatus,” meaning the council of elders.
What is the difference between Senate and House of Commons?
The House of Commons refers to the lower house of Parliament, while the Senate typically constitutes the upper house of Parliament. The number of members in the House of Commons is larger compared to the number of members in the Senate. While both houses have their own individual legislative functions, the House of Commons has the power to introduce bills pertaining to taxation and supply. In contrast, judicial and ambassadorial appointments require the consent of the Senate.
