The requirements for membership in the two houses of the U.S. Congress differ because the Framers of the Constitution designed each house to serve distinct purposes with different roles, responsibilities, and constituencies. In the House of Representatives, members must be at least 25 years old, have been U.S. citizens for at least seven years, and be inhabitants of the state they represent at the time of election. These relatively lower age and citizenship requirements reflect the House's role as the chamber closer to the people, representing smaller districts with shorter terms and more frequent elections, which requires members to be more directly responsive to their constituents' immediate concerns.
In contrast, the Senate requires members to be at least 30 years old, U.S. citizens for at least nine years, and inhabitants of the state they represent. These higher requirements reflect the Senate's role as a more deliberative and stable body, intended to provide wisdom, experience, and a longer-term perspective on legislation and governance. Senators represent entire states with longer terms, making the position demand greater maturity and experience.
Thus, the differences in requirements reflect the Framers' intention to balance popular representation in the House with a more stable, experienced, and deliberative upper chamber in the Senate. This balance supports the dual nature of Congress envisioned in the Great Compromise, ensuring that both population-based and state-based interests are represented effectively.