Do the Senate and the House of Representatives exert equal political power?

Professor Steven Calabresi argues that the Senate is the more powerful part of the legislature. The Senate not only produces or counteracts legislation, but also confirms important cabinet officials and judges. The smaller size of the Senate and the equality of the number of members from each state allows for even one Senator to be a powerful force for or against a nomination or legislative action.

Professor Steven G. Calabresi is the Clayton J. & Henry R. Barber Professor of Law at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. He is Chairman of the Federalist Society's Board of Directors.

As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.

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   • Constitutional Law [Course] [No. 86]