What is Bicameral?

Definition and meaning of bicameral: A bicameral legislature is a government body that is composed of two separate chambers or houses. This structure is rooted in the principle of checks and balances, to ensure that bills are thoroughly examined and debated before becoming law. In most bicameral systems, the two chambers have different functions, powers, and methods of representation.

For example, the U.S. Congress is a bicameral body that includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House, often referred to as the lower house, elects members based on individual states’ populations, as recorded after each U.S. census. States with larger populations have more representatives in the House. After the 2020 census, for example, Texas gained two House seats, and seven other states lost one seat each due to changes in their populations. 

The Senate, or upper house, provides equal representation for each state, regardless of population, with two senators per state. This structure was meant to allow smaller states to have an equal voice in the legislative process.

The lower chamber of Congress initiates legislation related to taxation and government spending, among other legislative proposals. Once approved in the House, bills are sent to the Senate for debate and voting, before being returned to the House for revisions or presented to the president for approval. 

Bicameral legislatures were designed to prevent hasty decision-making by requiring both chambers to agree on legislation before it can become law. Ideally, this process ensures that different perspectives are considered while reducing the likelihood of extreme or poorly considered policies. Only one U.S. state, Nebraska, has a unicameral legislative structure. 

However, the bicameral system has its drawbacks. For example, it can lead to gridlock when the two chambers cannot agree on legislation. Despite these challenges, bicameralism remains a key feature of many democratic systems worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and numerous other democracies.