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The Senate of the United States Congress
The United States Senate is made up of 2 Senators from every state making its current size 100. They are elected statewide for 6 year staggered terms (1/3 of the Senate is up for election every 2 years).
Originally Senators were selected by the individual state legislatures and were not directly elected. The 17th amendment to the Constitution in 1913 changed this and made them directly elected.
Members of the Senate must be at least 30 years old, citizens of the United States for at least 9 years, and residents of the state from which they are elected. The individual states may also set separate requirements for them.
Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution defines the powers of Congress which include: raising and assessing taxes, borrowing money for the public treasury, regulating commerce, coining money & punishing counterfeiters, establishment of courts, maintaining the military, calling out the militia, declaring war, punishing piracy, naturalizing citizens, intellectual property, weights & measures, the postal system, bankruptcy laws, making all laws for the seat of government (Washington DC) and the right to propose amendments to the Constitution when 2/3 of both Houses deem it necessary and making all laws to enforce the Constitution.
The House has the sole power to act in impeachment hearings, and the Senate the sole power to try impeachments. The President, Vice-President, and all civil officers of the United States may be impeached.
The Senate has exclusive powers including confirming the presidential appointment of high officials and the power to ratify treaties by a 2/3 vote.
The Vice-President of the United States serves as President of the Senate, but only votes in the case of a tie.
Committees:
Agriculture, Nutrition, And Forestry Committee ~ Appropriations Committee ~ Armed Services Committee ~ Banking, Housing, And Urban Affairs Budget Committee ~ Commerce, Science, And Transportation Committee ~ Energy And Natural Resources Committee ~ Environment And Public Works Committee ~ Finance Committee ~ Foreign Relations Committee ~ Governmental Affairs Committee ~ Judiciary Committee ~ Health, Education, Labor And Pensions Committee ~ Rules And Administration Committee ~ Small Business Committee Veterans' Affairs Committee ~ Senate Select Committee On Intelligence ~ Senate Select Committee On Ethics ~ Senate Select Committee On Indian Affairs ~ Senate Special Committee On Aging ~ Joint Economic Committee ~ Joint Committee On Taxation
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The U. S. Constitution
