Dropping the second "the" in sentences: the X and the Y vs. the X and Y

Is there any difference between these two examples?

1. (Both) the Senate and the House of Representatives are legislative bodies.
2. (Both) the Senate and House of Representatives are legislative bodies.

Is dropping the second "the" correct form? Do the two examples have the same meaning, making it but a stylistic choice?

What about in these two examples:

3. (Both) the Olympic and the Paralympic Games...
4. (Both) the Olympic and Paralympic Games...

Solution 1:

In your first two examples, there is no difference in meaning, though perhaps there is slightly more emphasis using a second "the". If an article were discussing a Congressional action, the author might use both definite articles to show that both bodies came separately to the same decision.

In #4, leaving the "the" out is possible because both adjectives can be paired with "Games".

Solution 2:

I believe the best use of leaving both "the"s in the sentence would be to emphasize the unity of the two bodies. If the emphasis isn't important in what you have to say, well then eliminate the second "the".

In short, it is a sylistic decision; neither is incorrect.