how the senate is considered the more prestigious and powerful house

Question 1

though congress is bicameral and in legislative terms the senate and the hor are equal in reality

Answer 1

the senate is considered more powerful and prestigious

Question 2

congressmen/congresswomen often seek to go on and be elected in the senate but very few senators seek election to the house

Answer 2

of the 8 new senators elected in the 2022 midterms , 3 had previously been members of hor
none of the 74 new congressmen/congresswomen elected in the 2022 midterms had previously been senators

Question 3

why the senate is more attractive to politicians than the house

Answer 3

● Senators represent entire states rather than smaller Congressional districts.
● They serve 6 year terms, therefore facing re-election less often.
● Because there are only 100 Senators, it is easier to obtain important committee
assignments and leadership positions.
○ Further, their vote and voice is more important in influencing the outcome of votes.
● It is an effective launchpad for presidential campaigns, as Senators are better able to build a national profile.
○ Truman, JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Obama and Biden all served in the Senate.
○ It is also often used to select Vice Presidential candidates; such as Biden under
Obama, Harris under Biden and Pence under Trump.
● The Senate has a number of important exclusive powers including confirming presidential
appointments to the Supreme Court and ratifying treaties.
○ The latter gives the Senate an important role in foreign policy.