The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress. It shares lawmaking power with the United States House of Representatives and plays special roles in confirmations and treaties.
Composition and terms
- 100 senators, two from each state.
- Six-year terms, staggered so roughly one-third stand for election every two years.
Powers and duties
- Advice and consent on presidential nominations (executive branch and federal judiciary).
- Ratifies treaties by a two-thirds vote.
- Tries impeachments; conviction requires two-thirds of Senators present.
- Shares legislative, budgetary, and oversight powers with the House.
Leadership and procedure
- Presiding officer: Vice President of the United States; daily presiding often delegated.
- Longstanding traditions of debate, including cloture rules.