US Politics Example Essay: discuss the factors that influence the relationship between the House of Representatives and the Senate

The Senate and the House form Congress, the legislative branch of US government. Both chambers are equally responsible for the passage of legislation (i.e. concurrent powers), although legislation moves in different ways and at different speeds through each. Whilst this shared responsibility for legislation can sometimes encourage Senators and Representatives to work together, there is often friction between the two, especially because each chamber also has different enumerated powers which may sometimes take priority and also because different parties can control each chamber. Furthermore, the Senate is often regarded as more influential and prestigious, and the House can be more polarised. The Vice President and EXOP may spend significant time smoothing the relationship between the two.