Question

Which of the following is a true statement? (A) Each state always has two members in the U.S. Senate and two members in the U.S. House of Representatives. (B) The number of members that a state has in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate is based on the state's population. (C) The number of members that a state has in the U.S. House of Representatives is based on the state's population, whereas each state always has two members in the U.S. Senate. (D) The number of members that a state has in the U.S. Senate is based on the state's population, whereas each state always has two members in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Short answer

(C) The number of members that a state has in the U.S. House of Representatives is based on the state's population, whereas each state always has two members in the U.S. Senate.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze the information related to the Senate seats allocation for each statement. Note that the Constitution states that each state has two Senators, regardless of its population. #Step 2: Analyze statements A, B, C, and D regarding House of Representatives seats#

Analyze the information related to the House of Representatives seats allocation for each statement. Note that the number of House seats a state has is determined by its population. #Step 3: Look for the statement that accurately describes the allocation of members in Congress#

From the analysis of the statements in Steps 1 and 2, look for the statement with accurate facts for both the Senate and House of Representatives allocations. #Step 4: Identify the correct statement#

The correct statement that correctly describes the allocation of members in both the Senate and the House of Representatives is: (C) The number of members that a state has in the U.S. House of Representatives is based on the state's population, whereas each state always has two members in the U.S. Senate.

Key concepts

U.S. Senate

The U.S. Senate is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress. Each state, regardless of its population size, is represented equally in the Senate. This means that every state has two Senators. This equal representation is specified in the U.S. Constitution and was established to ensure that smaller states have an equal voice in congressional proceedings. Senators serve six-year terms, with elections for the Senate staggered so that approximately one-third of the seats are up for election every two years. This structure is designed to provide continuity and stability within the legislative branch of the government.

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is the other chamber of the United States Congress, where representation for each state is proportional to its population size. This means larger states have more Representatives than smaller states. The total number of Representatives is fixed at 435, and these seats are apportioned among the states based on population counts from the census, which is conducted every ten years. Each Representative serves a two-year term, and all seats are up for election every two years.
The House was designed to be directly responsive to the people, reflecting changes in population and public opinion more quickly than the Senate. This setup ensures that the interests of the populous states are adequately represented in the legislative process.

Constitutional Law

Constitutional law refers to laws derived from the U.S. Constitution and its amendments. These laws establish the framework of the government and its relationship with the governed citizens. The Constitution provides a system of checks and balances among the legislative (Congress), executive (President), and judicial (Supreme Court) branches of government. This system ensures no single branch becomes too powerful.

• Legislative Powers: Granted to Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress is responsible for creating laws.
• Executive Powers: Vested in the President, who enforces and administers federal laws.
• Judicial Powers: Held by the Supreme Court and other federal courts, interpreting laws and adjudicating legal disputes.

The Constitution also includes amendments, such as the Bill of Rights, which protect individual liberties and rights against government overreach. Understanding constitutional law is essential for interpreting how the principles set forth by the Constitution are applied in everyday governance and legal practices.