The legislative branch of American government consists of two houses of Congress, the House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Similarly, The California State Legislature is also made up of two houses: the Senate and the Assembly. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 representatives and the Senate of 100 members. On the other hand, there are 40 Senators and 80 Assembly Members representing the people of the State of California. .
Members of Congress are elected from the general public to serve terms in Washington D.C. and the goal is to serve the citizens of their district or state. The Constitution states that to serve in the House of Representatives, you must be at least 25 years old, a seven-year citizen of the United States, and you must reside in the state you are elected in. Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms, and they serve one of the Congressional districts in the state they live in. Then to serve in the Senate you must be at least 30 years old, a nine-year citizen of the United States and you must live in the state in which you are elected. Members of the Senate are directly elected by the people of their state, and they serve six-year terms. Both the United State Senate members and The House of Representatives members may serve unlimited terms of office of 6 and 2 years, respectively. California legislature does have limited terms of office. Senate members may only serve 2 terms of four years and Assembly members are allowed three terms of two years. .
The federal Legislative branch and California State Legislative have one major function that is to create and pass laws. Though there is a major difference that makes passing laws at state level more difficult. At federal level in order to pass a bill the majority of votes of those present is necessary. But California's legislature requires a majority vote of the total membership.