text: what is the diference between the house and the senate? i understand there are 2 different groups...? now the democrats are controlling the senate and it has come down to virginia as far as controlling the house? i don't get it. please somebody shed any kind of light on this for me.  am i using the wrong name.. do i have it all wrong? any help at all is appreciated, i just want to know what's going on right now.  what are these 2 groups anyway? thank you. dems have the house and are 1 seat away from having the senate.  the senate has 100 members (2 from each state) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/united_states_senate  the house of representatives has 435 members (how many each state has is based on population) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/united_states_house_of_representatives