United States Senate

The SenateHow 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 SenateClause 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

1. 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 himPowell 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