<P> To be eligible for election, a candidate must be aged at least 25 (House) or 30 (Senate), have been a citizen of the United States for seven (House) or nine (Senate) years, and be an inhabitant of the state of which they represent . </P> <P> The Congress was created by the Constitution of the United States and first met in 1789, replacing in its legislative function the Congress of the Confederation . Although not constitutionally mandated, in practice since the 19th century, Congress members are typically affiliated to the Republican Party or to the Democratic Party and only rarely to a third party or as independents . </P> <P> Article One of the United States Constitution states, "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives ." The House and Senate are equal partners in the legislative process--legislation cannot be enacted without the consent of both chambers . However, the Constitution grants each chamber some unique powers . The Senate ratifies treaties and approves presidential appointments while the House initiates revenue - raising bills . The House initiates impeachment cases, while the Senate decides impeachment cases . A two - thirds vote of the Senate is required before an impeached person can be forcibly removed from office . </P> <P> The term Congress can also refer to a particular meeting of the legislature . A Congress covers two years; the current one, the 115th Congress, began on January 3, 2017, and will end on January 3, 2019 . The Congress starts and ends on the third day of January of every odd - numbered year . Members of the Senate are referred to as senators; members of the House of Representatives are referred to as representatives, congressmen, or congresswomen . </P>

What is the difference between senate and house of representatives