The Senate

[Keith Broaders]

The Senate is considered the "upper house" in the U.S. Congress due to historical, structural, and functional reasons rooted in the Constitution:

1. Historical Design: The framers of the Constitution modeled the U.S. Congress on the British Parliament, where the House of Lords (representing the aristocracy) was seen as the upper chamber due to its prestige and permanence. The Senate was designed to reflect stability and deliberation, akin to an elite body, contrasting with the more populist House of Representatives.
2. Representation and Equality: Each state gets equal representation in the Senate (two senators per state), regardless of population, which gives it a sense of elevated status as it balances state interests against the population-based House. This was part of the Great Compromise of 1787, ensuring smaller states had a strong voice.
3. Longer Terms: Senators serve six-year terms compared to the House's two-year terms, fostering a longer-term perspective and continuity, which aligns with the "upper" chamber's deliberative role.
4. Unique Powers: The Senate has exclusive powers that enhance its prestige, such as ratifying treaties, confirming presidential appointments (e.g., judges, cabinet members), and trying impeachment cases. These roles position it as a check on both the House and the executive branch.
5. Smaller Size: With only 100 members compared to the House's 435, the Senate is seen as a more exclusive and deliberative body, contributing to its "upper" status.
6. Cooling Mechanism: As James Madison noted in the Federalist Papers, the Senate was intended to be a "sober" and "wise" body to temper the more impulsive House, often described as the "saucer that cools the tea," emphasizing its role in careful deliberation.

This perception of the Senate as the upper house reflects its design to prioritize stability, state equality, and significant responsibilities over the more directly representative House.