Question 26 of 128 American Government
Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
Answers USCIS accepts
- To more closely follow public opinion
Give any one of these answers at your interview.
U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than senators to more closely follow public opinion.
What it means
Because representatives face voters every two years, they must stay close to what the people in their district want.
Senators’ six-year terms give them more distance from short-term public opinion. The design balances the two.
Memory tip: Short term = close to the people’s opinion.
Quiz yourself
Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
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Official source: USCIS M-1778 (09/25), 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version). Last checked: .