Why does the Constitution specify a bicameral legislation?

Question

What does this mean and how is it beneficial? Can someone describe the make-up of both houses of our national legislature, including size, representation, and terms of office?

Thank you! :)

Answer 1

The House of Representatives was created to represent the people. The Members of that body were directly elected by the people. The Senate was created to represent the States. The 17th Amendment changed that and now the Senate is also directly elected by the people. Terms for the House are for a period of two years. Those in the Senate are for six years. Every two years, one-third of all Senators have to be re-elected.

The House is composed of Members each of whom represents a district determined by population. So, the more populous the State the more Members that State would have in the House of Representatives. Still, each State has a minimum of one Member of the House. Each State has two Senators. The exact number called for in Article One of the Constitution. Since there are now fifty States, there are 100 Senators.