Explain the similarities and differences between the US and UK legislature

The US and UK legislature are similar in that they are split into two parts - the Senate and the House of Representatives in the US, and the House of Lords and House of Commons in the UK. They are also similar in that both lower houses (Commons and Representatives) are significantly larger than the upper houses (Lords and Senate) and that both these lower houses are elected. Furthermore, both lower houses can be said to hold the power of the purse - in essence, the upper houses have little power over monetary legislation, this must originate in the lower houses. The US and UK legislature are also very different. Both houses of the US Congress have only elected officials, appointed by a democratic vote. Were as, the UK legislature is still made up of one elected and one non-elected house. Furthermore, Senators represent the states that elected them, where as Lords - as un-elected officials - do not represent the interests of a particular constituency , although if they were appointed for their expertise in a particular field they might represent the interests of this group in legislation.