Ace the MTEL Adventure 2026 – Educator's Path to Success!

Congress is structured as a bicameral legislature, meaning it is divided into two separate chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. This structure was established by the United States Constitution and reflects a compromise between different plans for representation during the Constitutional Convention.

The House of Representatives is designed to represent the population of the states, with the number of representatives from each state determined by its population. This allows for a more direct representation of the people. On the other hand, the Senate guarantees equal representation for each state, with two senators from each state regardless of population, thus providing a balance that represents both the interests of individual citizens and those of the states as political entities.

This bicameral system allows for checks and balances within the legislative process, as both chambers must agree on legislation before it can be enacted. It also facilitates a comprehensive examination of proposed laws, drawing from the perspectives and interests of both larger and smaller states.

The other options do not accurately describe the structure of Congress: a single body with equal representation would not account for the differences in state population, saying only the Senate plays a legislative role overlooks the significant powers and responsibilities of the House, and stating that Congress is comprised of state representatives only ignores the inclusion of various representatives who serve specific