1. U.S. Senate

2. Basic Facts on the U.S. Senate Qualifications of Members: 1. 30 years or older 2. U.S. Citizen for 9 years prior to election 3. Resident of State Organization and Size: 100 members Two Senators per state Punishment Punish by majority vote Expel by a 2/3 vote

3. US Senate Terms and Elections Terms and Term Limits: 6 year term Saxby Chambliss (GA-R) Johnny Isakson (GA-R) No term limits Senate Elections: Continuous Body: Senators are divided into 3 groups and elections are staggered, only 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election every 2 years Ensures there are always experienced US Senators to continue the important policies

4. The Million Dollar Club Originally, US Senators were elected by the State Legislatures Rich business men would bribe State lawmakers with large campaign contributions (spend 1 million) and then would be elected as a US Senator

5. 17 th Amendment (1913) Direct popular election of US Senators by the qualified voters of the State The executive authority of the state (Governor) may fill Senate vacancies until the next election convenes

6. The Rod Blagojevich Scandal Milorad "Rod“ Blagojevich (D) Governor of Illinois Senator Barrack Obama from Illinois won the 2008 Presidential Election leaving the Governor to fill the vacated Senate seat (17 th Amendment) "I've got this thing, and it's f_____ golden," he told an aide a day after the November election on a home phone that was tapped by the FBI. "I'm just not giving it up for f______ nothing."

7. The Rod Blagojevich Scandal The Illinois state legislature impeach and convicted the Governor in January 2009 and he was removed from office. December 2011, Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison by a federal judge (18 convictions)

8. Senator Robert Byrd (D) West Virginia Elected: January 3, 1959 Longest Serving Senator 51 years! 5 months, 26 days Life: 1917-2010