The Massachusetts Legislature is comprised of 200 members elected by the people of the Commonwealth. The Senate is comprised of 40 members, with each representing a district of approximately 159,000 people. The House of Representatives is comprised of 160 members, with each legislator representing districts consisting of approximately 40,000 people. The President of the Senate presides over the Senate and the Speaker of the House presides over the House of Representatives. Both the Speaker and the Senate President are elected by the membership of their respective bodies at the beginning of each two-year legislative session.