How do the guidelines for organization of the House and Senate satisfy the stipulations of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?
a. The Senate only accepts the most thoughtful legislators
b. The Senate protects regional minorities against large regional majorities
c. Senators govern with more wisdom because they serve longer
d. The Senate helps the House meet the president's plans halfway
The guidelines for organization of the House and Senate satisfy the stipulations of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan in the following ways:
b. The Senate protects regional minorities against large regional majorities: The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on population, which could potentially disadvantage smaller states. The New Jersey Plan, on the other hand, called for equal representation for each state. The compromise that resulted in the guidelines for the organization of the House and Senate allowed for proportional representation in the House based on population, satisfying the Virginia Plan, while also providing equal representation for each state in the Senate, satisfying the New Jersey Plan. This ensures that regional minorities have a check against the majority.
c. Senators govern with more wisdom because they serve longer: In accordance with the Virginia Plan, which emphasized the need for knowledgeable and experienced legislators, the Senate's guidelines include longer terms for senators. Unlike the House, where representatives are up for re-election every two years, senators serve six-year terms. This longer term allows senators to gain expertise and experience, which is seen as contributing to more informed and wise governance.
d. The Senate helps the House meet the president's plans halfway: The guidelines for organization of the House and Senate also address the need for compromise and balancing power between various branches of government. The Senate acts as a check against the House by having additional powers, such as the ability to confirm presidential nominations and ratify treaties. This helps ensure that the House cannot unilaterally fulfill the president's plans without the Senate's involvement, thus forcing a coming together of both chambers to meet the president's plans halfway. This aligns with the idea of the New Jersey Plan, which advocated for equal representation and a more balanced system of government.