The Federalist Papers Lesson Plan

Which of the two parts of Congress do you think is more powerful? Why?

This is a fairly open question. On the one hand, because Senators have longer term limits and are generally considered to be a more elite group. Additionally, they have a greater amount of influence on national political affairs, and has a number of exclusive powers not possessed by Representatives, such as the power to confirm or reject executive branch nominees. For this reason, some students may suppose that it is the Senate which is more powerful. However, other students may affirm the opposite, arguing that the House is better able to affect local issues which matter more to Americans, and that...