Federal Senate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Federal senateSenado Federal |
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| 56th Legislature of the National Congress | |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
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Term limits
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None |
| History | |
| Founded | May 6, 1826 |
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New session started
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February 1, 2020 |
| Leadership | |
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Government Leader
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Fernando Bezerra Coelho, MDB
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Majority Leader
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Eduardo Braga, MDB
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Minority Leader
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Randolfe Rodrigues, REDE
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| Structure | |
| Seats | 81 |
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Political groups
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Government (60)
Opposition (21)
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Length of term
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8 years |
| Elections | |
| Plurality voting, alternating every four years between single-member elections (FPTP) and dual-member elections (block voting) | |
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Last election
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October 7, 2018 |
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Next election
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October 2, 2022 |
| Meeting place | |
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| Senate plenary chamber National Congress building Brasília, Federal District, Brazil |
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| Website | |
| http://www.senado.gov.br | |
The Federal Senate (Portuguese: Senado Federal) is like the "upper house" of the National Congress in Brazil. Think of it as one of two main groups that make laws for the country. Together with the Chamber of Deputies, they form Brazil's main law-making body.
Contents
What is the Federal Senate?
The Federal Senate is a very important part of Brazil's government. It helps make sure that laws are fair for all parts of the country. Senators represent their states and the Federal District.
How Many Senators Are There?
Currently, the Senate has 81 members. Each of Brazil's 26 states and the Federal District gets to choose three senators. This means every state has an equal voice in the Senate, no matter how big or small its population is.
How Senators are Chosen
Senators are elected by the people to serve for eight years. To keep things running smoothly, not all senators are elected at the same time. Every four years, either one-third or two-thirds of the senators are up for election. This system helps ensure there's always experienced people in the Senate.
For example, in one election, people might vote for one senator from their state. Four years later, they might vote for two senators from their state. This way, the Senate always has a mix of new and experienced members.
Who Leads the Senate?
The person in charge of the Federal Senate is called the President of the Federal Senate. This leader is chosen by the senators themselves. Their job is to guide meetings and make sure everything runs fairly.
As of early 2019, Davi Alcolumbre was the President of the Brazilian Senate. He is from the Democrats party and represents the state of Amapá. He was elected to lead the Senate for a two-year period.
What Does the Senate Do?
The main job of the Federal Senate is to create and approve laws for Brazil. They work with the Chamber of Deputies to discuss new ideas and make sure they are good for the country.
Making Laws for Brazil
When a new law is proposed, it often goes through both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Both houses need to agree on the law before it can become official. The Senate also has special powers, like approving important government appointments.
Representing the States
Because each state has three senators, the Senate is a place where the needs and concerns of all parts of Brazil can be heard. Senators bring up issues important to their home states and work to find solutions that benefit everyone.
The Senate meets in the National Congress building in Brasília, the capital city of Brazil. This is where senators gather to debate, vote, and make important decisions for the country.
