United States Senate, one of the two houses of the legislature (Congress) of the United States, established in 1789 under the Constitution. The leader of the largest party is known as the majority leader, while the opposition leader is known as the minority leader.

This article was most recently revised and updated by, Official Site of the United States Senate, Official Site of the United States Congress, Senate - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up).

Each state elects two senators for six-year terms. Among important standing committees are those on appropriations, finance, government operations, foreign relations, and the judiciary. Further, until the Seventeenth Amendment of the Constitution (1913), election to the Senate was indirect, by the state legislatures. As in the House of Representatives, political parties and the committee system dominate procedure and organization. L

The six-year terms of about one-third of the Senate membership expire every two years, earning the chamber the nickname ‘the house that never dies.’

Chamber of the U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. U.S. Capitol, the meeting place of Congress, Washington, D.C. Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial in the Senate, 1868. United States Senate, one of the two houses of the legislature (Congress) of the United States, established in 1789 under the Constitution. After more than 30 election wins, the Kennedy victory streak is over in Massachusetts. He says he’s “being killed financially” by Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison. By Sarah Almukhtar, Mike Andre, Wilson Andrews, Matthew Bloch, Jeremy Bowers, Larry Buchanan, Nate Cohn, Alastair Coote, Annie Daniel, Tiff Fehr, Samuel Jacoby, Josh Katz, Josh Keller, Aaron Krolik, Jasmine C. Lee, Rebecca Lieberman, Blacki Migliozzi, Paul Murray, Kevin Quealy, Jaymin Patel, Adam Pearce, Rachel Shorey, Michael Strickland, Rumsey Taylor, Isaac White, Maxine Whitely, and Josh Williams.Alan Blinder, Lauretta Charlton, Emily Cochrane, Catie Edmondson, Elisabeth Goodridge, Pat Lyons, John Schwartz, Mitch Smith, Liam Stack and Jamie Stockwell contributed reporting. Each party elects a leader, generally a senator of considerable influence in his or her own right, to coordinate Senate activities. That could change if Trump moves forward this close to the election. Note: Democratic totals will include the results of two independents, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Senator Angus King of Maine, who caucus with the Democrats. All rights reserved. Thousands of bills are referred to the committees during each session of Congress, though the committees take up only a fraction of these bills. The iconic Supreme Court justice told her granddaughter her “most fervent wish” just days before she died. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Note: Democratic totals will include the results of two independents, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont … The Senate also adjudicates impeachment proceedings initiated in the House of Representatives, a two-thirds majority being necessary for conviction. To check a filibuster—endless debate obstructing legislative action—three-fifths of the membership (60 senators) must vote for cloture.

In two of the year's most watched races, Ted Cruz defeated Beto O'Rourke in Texas and in Missouri, Josh Hawley beat Claire McCaskill. The Senate leaders also play an important role in appointing members of their party to the Senate committees, which consider and process legislation and exercise general control over government agencies and departments. Hvert andet år er en tredjedel af senatorerne på valg, og en valgperiode varer dermed seks år for en senator. The fact that all states are represented equally in the Senate regardless of their size reflects the federal character of the American union.

Source: Election results and race calls from The Associated Press. Gyms Are Willfully Misleading Members to Get Them Back. The Senate is given important powers under the “advice and consent” provisions (Article II, section 2) of the Constitution: ratification of treaties requires a two-thirds majority of all senators present and a simple majority for approval of important public appointments, such as those of cabinet members, ambassadors, and justices of the Supreme Court. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is facing stiff competition in South Carolina.

The committees hold hearings and call witnesses to testify about the legislation before them.

Rolls Royce Phantom Engine Size: V12 6.8L From £355,000 Aurus Senat Engine: 6.6-litre V12 Price: $170,000 Check out our merch: https://bit.ly/2Ix7xpr

Thus, each state, regardless of size or population, is equally represented.