United States Senate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids United States Senate |
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| 119th United States Congress | |
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Flag of the U.S. Senate
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Term limits
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None |
| History | |
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New session started
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January 3, 2025 |
| Leadership | |
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| Seats | 100 |
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Political groups
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Majority (53)
Minority (47)
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Length of term
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6 years |
| Elections | |
| Plurality voting in 46 states Varies in 4 states
Alaska & Maine: Instant-runoff voting
Georgia & Louisiana: Two-round system |
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Last election
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November 5, 2024 (34 seats) |
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Next election
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November 3, 2026 (35 seats) |
| Meeting place | |
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| Senate Chamber United States Capitol Washington, D.C. United States |
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| Constitution | |
| United States Constitution | |
The United States Senate is an important part of the United States Congress. It is like the "upper house" of Congress. The other part is the House of Representatives, which is the "lower house." Together, the Senate and House work to create and pass laws for the entire country.
The Senate has special powers. It approves people the President chooses for important jobs. It also agrees to or rejects agreements (called treaties) with other countries. If the House of Representatives decides to accuse a government official of serious wrongdoing (this is called impeachment), the Senate holds the trial. The Senate and House help keep the powers of the government balanced. This prevents any one part of the government from becoming too powerful.
The rules for the Senate were set by the United States Constitution in 1789. Each of the 50 states sends two senators to Washington, D.C. This means there are 100 senators in total. Senators serve for six years. Their terms are staggered, so not all senators are up for election at the same time.
From 1789 until 1913, state lawmakers chose senators. But since 1913, after a change to the Constitution, people in each state vote directly for their senators. The Senate is often seen as a more thoughtful and respected group than the House. This is because senators serve longer terms and represent their entire state.
The Senate meets in the Senate Chamber inside the United States Capitol building. This is in Washington, D.C., our nation's capital. The Vice President of the United States leads the Senate meetings, even though they are not a senator. The Vice President can only vote if there is a tie. If the Vice President is away, the President pro tempore takes charge. This person is usually the longest-serving senator from the majority party.
Contents
Understanding the Senate's History
The people who wrote the United States Constitution spent a lot of time deciding how states would be represented in the Senate. Everyone agreed that Congress should have two parts (this is called bicameralism). But there was a big debate about how many senators each state should get. Smaller states worried they would lose power to larger states.
To solve this, they created the Connecticut Compromise. This agreement said that every state, no matter its size, would have two senators. The Senate first met in 1789. It was inspired by the ancient Roman Senate, whose name comes from a Latin word meaning "council of elders." The Constitution also says that no state can lose its equal number of senators without agreeing to it. Since 1959, when Hawaii and Alaska became states, the Senate has had 100 members.
Before 1913, state lawmakers chose senators. But this system had problems. Sometimes, states couldn't agree on a senator, leaving seats empty. There were also concerns about political struggles. These issues led to a movement to change the Constitution. The Seventeenth Amendment was passed in 1913, allowing people to vote directly for their senators.
How the Senate Works: Key Functions
The Senate has several important jobs. It must approve any new federal laws. The Constitution gives the Senate unique powers to help balance the government. These powers include:
- Approving some of the President's choices for government jobs.
- Agreeing to all treaties with other countries.
- Holding trials for government officials who have been impeached by the House.
- Choosing the Vice President if no candidate gets enough votes in the Electoral College.
Creating Laws: The Legislative Process
New laws can start in either the Senate or the House. However, the Constitution says that all bills about taxes must start in the House of Representatives. This means the Senate cannot introduce bills that create new taxes. The House also believes the Senate cannot start bills that spend federal money.
Historically, the Senate has disagreed with the House on this. But in practice, if the Senate starts a spending bill, the House simply refuses to consider it. This usually settles the argument. The rule about tax bills starting in the House is similar to a tradition in the United Kingdom's Parliament. There, money bills also start in the House of Commons.
Even though the House starts tax bills, the Senate has a lot of power over spending. They can add many changes to spending bills that come from the House. They can even change what the money is spent on. Both the House and Senate must pass the exact same version of a bill for it to become law. If there are differences, they work together to fix them. This might involve sending changes back and forth or forming a special committee with members from both houses.
Approving Appointments: Confirming Leaders
The President chooses many people for important government jobs. But these choices often need the Senate's approval. These officials include members of the President's Cabinet, leaders of most federal agencies, ambassadors, and Supreme Court justices and other federal judges.
Usually, a person chosen by the President first has a hearing with a Senate committee. Then, the full Senate considers the nomination. Most people chosen by the President are approved. However, sometimes Senate committees do not act on a nomination to stop it. Also, Presidents sometimes withdraw their choices if it looks like the Senate won't approve them. Because of this, it's rare for the full Senate to outright reject a nominee.
The President can sometimes make temporary appointments when Congress is not in session. These are called "recess appointments." They last until the end of the next congressional session. Presidents have used these to fill jobs quickly or to avoid Senate rejection. However, recess appointments have faced some criticism.
Approving Treaties: International Agreements
The Senate also plays a role in approving treaties. The Constitution says the President can make treaties, but two-thirds of the senators present must agree. This ensures that each state has an equal say in these important international agreements.
Not all international agreements are considered treaties under U.S. law. Congress has allowed the President to make some agreements without Senate approval. These are called "executive agreements." There are also "congressional-executive agreements" that need a simple majority vote in both the House and Senate. Some experts believe these agreements might go around the Constitution's treaty process. However, courts have said these agreements are valid.
Impeachment Trials: Holding Officials Accountable
The House of Representatives has the power to accuse federal officials of serious wrongdoing. This is called impeachment. The Senate then has the power to hold a trial for these impeachments. If the President of the United States is on trial, the Chief Justice of the United States leads the proceedings. During an impeachment trial, senators must take an oath to be fair.
To convict an official, two-thirds of the senators present must vote guilty. If convicted, the official is automatically removed from office. The Senate can also decide to ban the person from holding future office. No other punishment is allowed during the impeachment trial itself. However, the person might still face criminal charges in a regular court.
The House has impeached sixteen officials in history. Seven of them were convicted by the Senate. Only three Presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson in 1868, Bill Clinton in 1998, and Donald Trump in 2019 and 2021. All three Presidents were found not guilty by the Senate.
Electing the Vice President: A Rare Event
Under the Twelfth Amendment, the Senate has the power to elect the Vice President. This happens if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the Electoral College. The Senate must choose from the top two candidates with the most electoral votes. This situation is very rare. The Senate has only done this once, in 1837, when it elected Richard Mentor Johnson.
Who Can Be a Senator: Membership Rules
The Constitution sets three main rules for who can be a senator:
- They must be at least 30 years old.
- They must have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years.
- They must live in the state they want to represent when they are elected.
These rules are stricter than those for members of the House of Representatives. James Madison, one of the Constitution's writers, explained that senators need more experience and a stable character. He also felt that senators, who deal with foreign nations, should be fully committed to the U.S.
The Senate itself decides if its members meet these rules. In its early years, some senators who were too young were allowed to serve. For example, Henry Clay was 29 when he became a senator in 1806. However, this has not happened since. In 1934, Rush D. Holt Sr. was elected at 29 but waited until his 30th birthday to take office. Joe Biden was elected at 29 in 1972 but turned 30 before his swearing-in ceremony.
The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution also prevents certain people from being senators. This rule applies to federal or state officials who supported a rebellion against the U.S. after taking an oath to support the Constitution. This was put in place after the American Civil War to prevent former Confederate supporters from serving. Congress can remove this disqualification with a two-thirds vote in both houses.
How Senators Are Chosen and Their Terms
Senators serve for six years. Their terms are staggered, meaning about one-third of the Senate seats are up for election every two years. This system was set up by dividing the first senators into three groups, or "classes." Each class had terms ending at different times (two, four, or six years). This way, there is always experienced leadership in the Senate.
There is no limit to how many terms a senator can serve. Elections for the Senate happen on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. This is the same day as elections for the House of Representatives. Senators are elected by voters across their entire state.
Elections for Senators
In most states, there is a primary election first. In this election, voters choose which Republican and Democratic candidates will run in the main election. A few months later, the general election takes place. The candidate who gets the most votes wins. Some states have different rules. For example, in Georgia, if no candidate wins a majority, the top two candidates have a runoff election. In other states like California and Washington, all candidates run in one primary, and the top two vote-getters move on to the general election.
Filling Vacancies
If a Senate seat becomes empty before the term ends, the Seventeenth Amendment says it must be filled by a special election. State governors can often appoint someone to temporarily fill the seat until the special election happens. The rules for how these temporary appointments and special elections work can vary from state to state. A senator elected in a special election serves until the original six-year term would have ended.
Understanding a Senator's Term
Senators serve for six years. The terms are set up so that about one-third of the Senate seats are up for election every two years. This creates three "classes" of senators. This system ensures that both senators from a single state are not usually up for election at the same time. The Constitution does not limit how many terms a senator can serve.
The Twentieth Amendment set the date for Congress to start its yearly session as noon on January 3rd. Congress must meet at least once a year. A person who has been elected but not yet sworn in is called a senator-elect. If someone is appointed to a vacant seat but not yet sworn in, they are a senator-designate.
The Senator's Oath
Senators must take an oath to support the Constitution. This oath is a promise to defend the Constitution against all enemies, both inside and outside the country. It also states that they take this duty freely and will faithfully perform their job.
Salary and Benefits for Senators
Since 2009, each senator's annual salary has been $174,000. The President pro tempore and party leaders earn a bit more, at $193,400. Many senators are millionaires, partly due to inflation over time.
Senators also receive retirement and health benefits, just like other federal employees. They are fully eligible for these benefits after five years of service. Their pension amount depends on how many years they served and their highest average salary.
Seniority: Who's Been There Longest?
In the Senate, "seniority" means how long a senator has served. This is important for choosing offices and getting committee assignments. If senators have served for the same amount of time, other factors like past government service or their state's population help decide who is more senior.
The senator from each state who has served longer is called the senior senator. The other is the junior senator. For example, Chuck Schumer is the senior senator from New York because he started serving in 1999. Kirsten Gillibrand is New York's junior senator, having served since 2009.
Titles and How Senators Are Identified
Senators use the title "The Honorable" before their names. In the news, they are usually identified by their political party and state. For example, Chuck Schumer, the Democratic majority leader from New York, might be called "D–New York." Sometimes, they are also identified as the junior or senior senator from their state.
Disciplinary Actions: Expulsion and Censure
The Senate can remove a senator from office with a two-thirds vote. This is called expulsion. Fifteen senators have been expelled in history. One was for treason in 1797, and fourteen were in 1861 and 1862 for supporting the Confederacy. No senator has been expelled since 1862. However, some senators have chosen to resign when facing possible expulsion.
The Senate can also "censure" or "condemn" senators. This is a formal disapproval that only needs a simple majority vote. It does not remove a senator from office. Some senators have decided not to run for re-election when facing certain censure or expulsion.
Political Parties in the Senate
The "majority party" is the political party that has more than half of the seats in the Senate. If two parties have the same number of seats, the Vice President's party decides which is the majority. The next largest party is called the "minority party." The President pro tempore and the leaders of committees usually come from the majority party. The minority party has its own leaders, like "ranking members" on committees. Senators who are not part of the two main parties are called independents or third-party members.
Where Senators Sit: Seating in the Chamber
There are 100 desks in the Senate chamber, arranged in a half-circle. A wide aisle divides them. Traditionally, senators from the Democratic Party sit on the right side of the person leading the meeting. Senators from the Republican Party sit on the left. This is true no matter which party has the most seats.
Each senator chooses a desk based on how long they have served in the Senate. The leaders of each party usually sit in the front row along the center aisle. Many of the desks are very old, dating back to 1819. It is a tradition for each senator to write their name inside the desk's drawer.
Senate Leaders and Staff: Officers of the Senate
The Senate chooses its own officers, except for the President of the Senate. These officers help keep order, manage the Senate's work, and explain the rules. Many non-member staff are also hired to help with daily tasks.
The Presiding Officer
The Vice President of the United States serves as the President of the Senate. They can vote in the Senate only if there is a tie. For most of history, leading Senate meetings was a main job for the Vice President. Today, Vice Presidents usually only lead on special occasions.
The Senate also elects a President pro tempore. This person leads the Senate when the Vice President is absent. By tradition, this is the longest-serving senator from the majority party. However, the President pro tempore often asks other senators, especially new ones, to lead meetings. This helps new senators learn the rules.
The person leading the Senate sits in a chair at the front of the chamber. Their powers are not as strong as the Speaker of the House. The presiding officer calls on senators to speak and announces the results of votes.
Party Leaders in the Senate
Each political party in the Senate chooses its own leaders. These "floor leaders" are the main spokespeople for their party. The Senate majority leader is very important. They control the Senate's schedule, deciding when debates and votes will happen. Each party also chooses an "assistant leader" or "whip." Whips work to make sure senators from their party vote the way their leaders want.
Non-Member Staff
Besides the Vice President, the Senate has several important staff members who are not senators. The secretary of the Senate is the chief administrative officer. They keep public records, handle salaries, and manage supplies. The sergeant at arms is the Senate's chief law enforcement officer. They keep order and security in the Senate buildings. The United States Capitol Police handle regular police work. Other staff include the chaplain, who leads prayers, and pages, who are young people who help senators.
How the Senate Operates: Procedures and Rules
The Senate follows a set of rules called the Standing Rules. Like the House of Representatives, the Senate meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. At the front of the Senate chamber is a raised platform where the presiding officer sits. Senate meetings usually happen on weekdays. They are open to the public and often broadcast live on TV.
Senate procedures also rely on customs and traditions. Often, the Senate agrees to set aside some of its strict rules by "unanimous consent." This means everyone agrees. Party leaders usually discuss these agreements beforehand. One senator can block such an agreement, but this rarely happens. The presiding officer makes sure the rules are followed and can use a gavel to keep order.
A "hold" happens when a senator tells their party leader that they will object to a bill or motion. A senator can place a hold for any reason. They might want to review a bill, suggest changes, or even stop it completely. A hold can block a bill for a long time. Holds can be overcome, but it takes time and special procedures.
The Constitution says that a majority of senators must be present for the Senate to do business. This is called a quorum. In practice, a quorum is always assumed to be present unless a senator specifically asks for a "quorum call." A quorum call is when a clerk calls out the names of senators to see who is there. Quorum calls are often used to temporarily pause proceedings. This might happen while waiting for a senator to arrive or for leaders to negotiate.
Debate: Speaking in the Senate
Senators can only speak if the presiding officer calls on them. However, the presiding officer must recognize the first senator who stands up to speak. This means the presiding officer has little control over who speaks. The majority and minority leaders usually get priority during debates.
All speeches must be directed to the presiding officer, who is called "Mr. President" or "Madam President." Senators do not speak directly to each other. They refer to other members in the third person, like "the senior senator from Virginia." Senators speak while standing next to their desks.
There are few rules about what senators can say in their speeches. They don't even have to talk about the topic being discussed. Senators can usually speak for as long as they want. Sometimes, the Senate agrees to time limits for debates. The Senate is sometimes called the "world's greatest deliberative body" because of its long debates.
Filibuster and Cloture: Prolonging or Ending Debate
A filibuster is a tactic used to stop a bill or motion by talking for a very long time. This can involve long speeches, delaying tactics, and many proposed changes. The Senate can end a filibuster by voting for "cloture." In most cases, cloture needs the support of three-fifths of the Senate, which is 60 votes.
If the Senate wants to change its own rules, a two-thirds majority is needed to end a filibuster. In reality, the threat of a filibuster is often enough to stop a bill. This means that 41 senators can effectively block a bill.
The idea of the filibuster started early in U.S. history. In 1805, a procedural tool that could end debate was removed. Later, in 1841, Senator John Calhoun and others used long speeches to oppose a national bank bill. This tactic continued. In 1917, during World War I, President Woodrow Wilson pushed for a way to force a Senate vote. This led to Senate rule XXIII, which created the cloture procedure. In the 1970s, the number of votes needed for cloture was lowered.
Cloture used to be rare because it needed support from both parties. But votes for cloture have increased in recent years. If the Senate votes for cloture, the debate doesn't end immediately. It is limited to 30 more hours, unless more time is approved.
The longest filibuster speech in Senate history was by Strom Thurmond. He spoke for over 24 hours in 1957 to try and block a civil rights law. In 2025, Senator Cory Booker gave the longest individual speech, lasting over 25 hours. His speech addressed actions of the Trump administration.
There is a special process called "reconciliation" for bills related to the budget. These bills cannot be stopped by a filibuster. Debate on these bills is limited to 20 hours.
The Senate filibuster is often debated. Some people think it prevents good laws from passing because it requires 60 votes instead of a simple majority. Others believe the filibuster protects the views of the minority party. It also acts as a check when one party controls the Presidency, House, and Senate.
Voting: Making Decisions
When a debate finishes, senators vote on the motion. Often, they vote by "voice vote." The presiding officer asks for "Yea" (yes) or "Nay" (no) votes. Then, they announce the result. A senator can ask for a "recorded vote" if they disagree with the voice vote. This request is usually granted.
For a recorded vote, a clerk calls out each senator's name in alphabetical order. Senators respond with their vote. Senators who were not in the chamber when their name was called can still vote as long as the vote is open. The vote is usually open for at least 15 minutes. A majority of votes decides if the motion passes. If there is a tie, the Vice President can cast the deciding vote. If the Vice President is not there, the motion fails.
It's important to remember that 60 votes are usually needed to end a filibuster (cloture). But only a simple majority, usually 51 votes, is needed to pass a bill. Sometimes, news reports confuse these two numbers.
Closed Sessions: Secret Meetings
Sometimes, the Senate holds a "secret" or "closed session." During these sessions, the chamber doors are closed, cameras are turned off, and everyone not sworn to secrecy must leave. Closed sessions are rare. They are usually held for very sensitive topics, like national security information or discussions during impeachment trials. A senator can ask for a closed session, and it will happen if at least one other senator agrees.
If the Senate does not approve the release of a secret meeting's transcript, it is kept private. It remains sealed until the Senate votes to make it public.
Committees: Specialized Work Groups
The Senate uses committees to do much of its work. These committees review bills and oversee the executive branch of government. The full Senate formally appoints committee members. But in practice, political parties choose who serves on which committee. Senators usually get their preferred assignments based on how long they have served. Each party gets a number of seats on committees that matches its strength in the Senate.
Most of the Senate's work is done by 16 "standing committees." Each committee focuses on a specific area, like finance or foreign relations. These committees can consider, change, and recommend bills related to their area. They also review the President's choices for jobs that fall under their jurisdiction. For example, the Judiciary Committee reviews choices for judges. Committees can block nominees or stop bills from reaching the full Senate. They also watch over government departments and agencies. To do their job, committees can hold hearings and ask for witnesses and evidence.
Each Senate committee is led by a "chair," usually from the majority party. While chairs are elected, seniority is still very important. Chairs have a lot of power. They control the committee's agenda and decide how much time to spend on a bill. They can also delay or disapprove a bill or a President's nomination. The second-highest member on a committee, from the minority party, is called the "ranking member."
Senate Office Buildings
There are three Senate office buildings near the Capitol. These are the Russell Senate Office Building, the Dirksen Senate Office Building, and the Hart Senate Office Building. Senators and their staff work in these buildings.
See also
In Spanish: Senado de los Estados Unidos para niños
