Question 28 of 128 American Government
Why does each state have two senators?
Answers USCIS accepts
- Equal representation (for small states)
- The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
Give any one of these answers at your interview.
Each state has two senators to give equal representation, especially for small states. This was the Great Compromise.
What it means
At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, small states wanted equal votes and large states wanted votes by population. The Great Compromise (also called the Connecticut Compromise) created both: equal votes in the Senate and population-based votes in the House.
Say “equal representation” or “the Great Compromise.”
Memory tip: Two each = equal = Great Compromise.
Quiz yourself
Why does each state have two senators?
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Official source: USCIS M-1778 (09/25), 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version). Last checked: .