Changes

On social issues like [[abortion]] the U.S. Senate is more [[liberal]] than the U.S. House, probably due to the greater influence of the media on the statewide Senate elections.  Most votes on controversial issues are along party lines, although a few senators from both parties may cross lines against what their leadership endorses. Due to the clubby nature of the Senate, many bills have bipartisan support among both Republicans and Democrats.

On social issues like [[abortion]] the U.S. Senate is more [[liberal]] than the U.S. House, probably due to the greater influence of the media on the statewide Senate elections.  Most votes on controversial issues are along party lines, although a few senators from both parties may cross lines against what their leadership endorses. Due to the clubby nature of the Senate, many bills have bipartisan support among both Republicans and Democrats.

Unless rules specify otherwise, the Senate may agree to any question by a majority of Senators voting, if a [[quorum]] is present. The [[Chair]] puts each question by [[Voice Vote|voice vote]] unless the "yeas and nays" are requested, in which case a roll call vote occurs.<ref>http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/b_three_sections_with_teasers/glossary.htm</ref>

Unless rules specify otherwise, the Senate may agree to any question by a majority of Senators voting, if a [[quorum]] is present. The [[Chair]] puts each question by [[Voice Vote|voice vote]] unless the "yeas and nays" are requested, in which case a roll call vote occurs.<ref>https://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/b_three_sections_with_teasers/glossary.htm</ref>

The Senate is named for the [[Roman Senate]], the governing council of ancient Rome. The Latin word means a council of elders, and derives from the same Latin root as ''senior.''

The Senate is named for the [[Roman Senate]], the governing council of ancient Rome. The Latin word means a council of elders, and derives from the same Latin root as ''senior.''

** Vol. IV, Historical Statistics, 1789–1992

** Vol. IV, Historical Statistics, 1789–1992

* Dole, Bob. ''Historical Almanac of the United States Senate''

* Dole, Bob. ''Historical Almanac of the United States Senate''

* Hatfield, Mark O., with the Senate Historical Office. ''Vice Presidents of the United States, 1789–1993'' ([http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Vice_President.htm essays reprinted online])

* Hatfield, Mark O., with the Senate Historical Office. ''Vice Presidents of the United States, 1789–1993'' ([https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Vice_President.htm essays reprinted online])

* Frumin, Alan S. ''[http://www.gpoaccess.gov/riddick/index.html Riddick's Senate Procedure]''. (1992).

* Frumin, Alan S. ''[http://www.gpoaccess.gov/riddick/index.html Riddick's Senate Procedure]''. (1992).