Examine how the HOL and The Senate differ (12 marks)

Question 1

how bills are passed and blocked : HOL

Answer 1

• debate legislation
• have the power to change or reject measures
• however, the sailsbury convention prevented them from being able to reject bills
• only delay up to one year
• the commons usually bypass the Lords
• parliamentary ping pong

Question 2

how bills are passed and blocked: Senate

Answer 2

• senate has complete authority to say NO to laws
• they have complete authority to reject a bill and
• e.g when they rejected a bill approved a day earlier by the HoR that would’ve provided $4.5billion for the Mexico border

Question 3

bicameral system: HOL

Answer 3

• the structure is uneven as the HOC has more power than the HOL
• the HOC has a majority in passing legislation without the recognition of the Lords

Question 4

bicameral system: Senate

Answer 4

• each chamber has equal power and any chamber has the power to kill a measure by failing to pass it
• HoR and Senate share authority 50/50
• the senate has power to affirm the nomination of over 1,000 executive officials, which shows the amount of power they have

Question 5

election: HOL

Answer 5

• they are not elected
• all peers can keep their seats until they die
• 92 hereditary peers - inherited the priveledge to sit in the Lords

Question 6

election: Senate

Answer 6

• they are elected
• each state is represented by 2 senators who are chosen for 6 year terms
• 1/3 of senate is up for re election every 2 years