What is the balance of power between the House of Representatives and the Senate?
As far as proposing and voting laws, the Senate and House of Representatives are equal. Both can initiate and block legislation. They have to meet to reconcile their differences, but that often goes nowhere. If they agree on a bill and the president vetoes it, both chambers must vote by a two-thirds majority to override the veto. Both can launch inquiries and issue subpoenas. The Senate has some special powers: it must ratify international treaties and confirm the president’s choice of top officials and senior judges. In the event of impeachment, the House plays prosecutor, but the Senate is the judge. The House speaker is third in line in the presidential succession. The speaker also has much more control of her chamber than the majority leader in the Senate, whose members are more independent.
