The Senate is the smaller of the two houses of
Congress. The Senate has only 100 members. These
representatives are called Senators. Each state regardless of
population has two Senators. There are currently 50 states, thus we
have 100 Senators in Washington D.C. Each Senator is elected for a
six-year term. Every two years, one third of the Senators is up for
reelection. This means 33 or 34 Senators are up for reelection every
two years. This process allows for some experienced Senators to
remain in the senate during an election year.
The original Constitution allowed for each state
legislature to choose their Senators. In 1913, the Seventeenth
Amendment to the Constitution changed the selection process from chosen by
the state legislature to election by the people.
To be elected a U.S. Senator, a person must be at least
30 years old, a citizen of the United States for at least 9 years, and
live in the state he or she represents.
The Senate meetings are conducted by the Vice President
of the United States. He or she only votes in the event there is a
tie between Senators. When the Vice President is absent, the
Senators select a temporary leader known as the President Pro
Tempore. The President Pro Tempore is the third in line to take over
the Presidency in the event of an emergency.
The Constitution assigns the Senate
and the House of Representatives equal responsibility for declaring war,
maintaining the armed forces, assessing taxes, borrowing money, minting
currency, regulating commerce, and making all laws necessary for the
operation of the government. The Senate holds exclusive authority to
advise and consent on treaties and nominations.
Complete the questions below.
The Senate has
members.
To be elected a U.S. Senator, a person must be at least
years old.
To be elected a U.S. Senator, a person must be a citizen
of the United States for at least
years.
To be elected a U.S. Senator, a person must live in the
he or she represents.
Each Senator is elected for a -year
term.
Every two years, one third of the Senators is up for
.
The original Constitution allowed for each state
to choose their Senators.
Today, Senators are elected by the
.
Senate meetings are conducted by the
of the United States.
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