United States Senate

The Senate How does the size of the Senate differ from the size of the House? How have States elected senators in the past and present? How and why does a senator’s term differ from a representative’s term? What are the qualifications for serving in the Senate?

Section Three---The Senate Clause One - How is a Senator different from a member of the House of Representatives? Senators term is 6 years 1 voter per Senator 2 Senators per state (all states get the same amount) Originally Senators were chosen by state legislatures Today chosen by direct election (17th Amendment) The Senate is a continuous body, meaning that all of its seats are never up for election at the same time.

Clause Two--Is it possible for both Senators from one state to be up for re-election at the same time? (Maybe) All of the members from the first Senate did not get a 6 year term. The founding fathers wanted the Senate to have experienced members so they created a staggered election. First class = 2 year term Second class = 4 year term Third class = 6 year term Never will the Senators term from one state be up for re-election at the same time, unless the seat is opened because of death, resignation or like President Obama an election.

Clause Three - What are the qualifications for a Senator? 30 years old 9 year citizen of the United States Be a resident of the state you are elected from Clause Four— The Vice-President (Joe Biden) of the U.S. is the President of the Senate (very little power and seldom is seen on the Senate Floor ) President of the Senate (Biden) only votes if there is a tie

Clause Five -Officers of the Senate – Just like the House the Senate has similar leadership President of the Pro Tempore - presides temporarily when vice-president is not available Majority Leader (Harry Reid) - controls the agenda of the majority party Majority Whip - helps the majority leader Minority Leader - A watchdog function over the majority party Minority Whip - helps the minority leader

Trial of Impeachments - Does the Senate actually serve as the Jury in impeachment proceedings? (Yes) Senate tries impeachments (acts as a jury) House of Reps. introduces the Articles of Impeachment House needs a majority (218) vote to bring up charges Senate needs 2/3s majority (67) to convict

Clause Seven—What happens if someone is impeached? A guilty conviction on the Articles of Impeachment is removal from office A U.S. President cannot be pardoned if found guilty by 2/3s of the Senate (part of the checks and balance system)

Section Five—Rules of Procedures Clause One - Can an elected official be removed from office? (Yes) Each House determines the qualifications of their members Brigham Roberts—1901, polygamist from Utah, The Senate refused to seat him Victor Berger—1919, Socialist from Wisconsin, The House refused to seat him Adam Powell—1967, African-American who allegedly misappropriated federal funds The House refused to seat him Powell v McCormack(1969) - SC allowed Powell his seat in the House of Representatives

Clause Two—Does the House and the Senate following the same proceedings and rules? (No) House of Reps and the Senate have different rules Filibuster—Delaying a bill through the use of discussion Senate has Filibusters, House is more stringent on how they control debate so they do not Strom Thurmond—longest filibuster, 24 hours 18 minutes Cloture rule—rule in the Senate that will end a filibuster if 60 Senators agree to vote for the closing of debate Censure—punishing a member of Congress, take away some of their power or seniority