| | [[File:US Senate Chamber.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Senate chamber, showing visitors gallery (top) and Senator's desks on the floor.]] | | [[File:US Senate Chamber.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Senate chamber, showing visitors gallery (top) and Senator's desks on the floor.]] |
| − | The '''United States Senate''' is the upper house of the [[United States Congress]], the lower house being the [[United States House of Representatives]]. The U.S. Senate is composed of 100 Senators, two from each of the 50 [[state]]s. The Senate convenes in [[Washington, D.C.]]. Currently, Republicans control the Senate, with 45 Democrats and 54 Republicans. [[Independent]] [[Bernie Sanders]] caucuses with the [[Democrat Party]]. | + | The '''United States Senate''' is the upper house of the [[United States Congress]], the lower house being the [[United States House of Representatives]]. The U.S. Senate is composed of 100 Senators, two from each of the 50 [[state]]s. The Senate convenes in [[Washington, D.C.]]. As of January 6, 2020, Republicans will control the Senate, with 50 Republicans, 46 Democrats, and 2 Independents, including [[Bernie Sanders]], who vote and caucus with the [[Democrat Party]]. |
| | 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. |