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[[File:US senate seal.png|right|200px]]

[[File:US senate seal.png|right|200px]]

[[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.]]. As of 2026, Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, plus the tie-breaking vote held by [[Vice President]] [[J.D. Vance]]. Included with the Democrat voting strength are 2 Independents, [[Bernie Sanders]] and [[Angus King]], who caucus with the [[Democrat Party]] and almost always vote with the [[Democrat]]s.

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 2026, Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, plus the tie-breaking vote held by [[Vice President]] [[J.D. Vance]]. Included with the Democratic voting strength are two Independents, [[Bernie Sanders]] and [[Angus King]], who caucus with the [[Democrat Party]] and almost always vote with the [[Democrat]]s.

The U.S. Senate, along with the [[House]] in a joint session of [[Congress]] held on January 6, 2021, accepts or rejects the [[Electoral College]] votes for president. If the Senate declines to certify 270 votes for a candidate amid alternate slates of Electors, then the presidential election is transferred to the [[House]] to select the president from the top three contenders, with each State having an equal vote, rather than voting by population proportion as the House usually does.

The U.S. Senate, along with the [[House]] in a joint session of [[Congress]] held on January 6, 2021, accepts or rejects the [[Electoral College]] votes for president. If the Senate declines to certify 270 votes for a candidate amid alternate slates of Electors, then the presidential election is transferred to the [[House]] to select the president from the top three contenders, with each State having an equal vote, rather than voting by population proportion as the House usually does.

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>https://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 position of '''President of the Senate''' is filled by the [[Vice President of the United States]]. The Vice President only votes in the case of a tie. The Senate's current Majority Leader is [[Democrat]] [[Chuck Schumer]] and the Minority Leader is the [[Republican]] [[Mitch McConnell]].

The position of '''President of the Senate''' is filled by the [[Vice President of the United States]]. The Vice President only votes in the case of a tie. The Senate's current Majority Leader is [[Democrat]] [[Chuck Schumer]] and the Minority Leader is the [[Republican]] [[Mitch McConnell]].

Since all 50 states are represented equally in the Senate, because of the [[federalist]] principles in the Constitution, it is likely that conservatives will continue to have relatively strong influence in the Senate even if future demographic shifts favor leftist Democrats.<ref>Kurtz, Howard (October 12, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/change-the-rules-why-the-left-is-slamming-the-senate-and-electoral-college Change the rules? Why the Left is slamming the Senate and Electoral College]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved October 12, 2018.</ref><ref>Kirkwood, R. Cort (July 18, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/29571-post-demographic-shift-really-be-bad-for-democracy Would Demographic Shift Really Be Bad For “Democracy”?] ''The New American''. Retrieved October 12, 2018.</ref>

Since all 50 states are represented equally in the Senate, because of the [[federalist]] principles in the Constitution, it is likely that conservatives will continue to have relatively strong influence in the Senate even if future demographic shifts favor leftist Democrats .<ref>Kurtz, Howard (October 12, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/change-the-rules-why-the-left-is-slamming-the-senate-and-electoral-college Change the rules? Why the Left is slamming the Senate and Electoral College]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved October 12, 2018.</ref><ref>Kirkwood, R. Cort (July 18, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/29571-post-demographic-shift-really-be-bad-for-democracy Would Demographic Shift Really Be Bad For “Democracy”?] ''The New American''. Retrieved October 12, 2018.</ref>

==Powers of Senate==

==Powers of Senate==

In addition to passing legislation, the Senate also has a number of unique and special powers.

In addition to passing legislation, the Senate also has a number of unique and special powers.

* The Senate has the power to try cases of impeachment of federal officials, should such officials be impeached by the House of Representatives. When the [[President]] in on trial, such proceedings are overseen by the Chief Justice of the United States. This has happened only three times: the impeachment proceedings of Presidents [[Andrew Johnson]], [[Bill Clinton]], and [[Donald Trump]]. None of them were removed from office. (The closest that a President has come to being removed was [[Richard Nixon]]; however, realizing that he would likely be removed from office, chose to resign instead.)

* The Senate has the power to try cases of impeachment of federal officials, should such officials be impeached by the House of Representatives. When the [[President]] is on trial, such proceedings are overseen by the Chief Justice of the United States. This has happened only three times: the impeachment proceedings of Presidents [[Andrew Johnson]], [[Bill Clinton]], and [[Donald Trump]]. None of them were removed from office. (The closest that a President has come to being removed was [[Richard Nixon]]; however, realizing that he would likely be removed from office, he chose to resign instead.)

* The Constitution gives the Senate the power to "advice and consent" appointments made by the [[President]]. Major appointments subject to this include heads of Cabinet-level federal departments, [[Supreme Court]] justices, [[U.S. District Court]] and [[United States Court of Appeals]] judges, [[U.S. Attorney]]s, ambassadors to foreign powers, high-ranking military commands and certain federal agencies such as [[NASA]] or the [[Environmental Protection Agency]].

* The Constitution gives the Senate the power to "advice and consent" appointments made by the [[President]]. Major appointments subject to this include heads of Cabinet-level federal departments, [[Supreme Court]] justices, [[U.S. District Court]] and [[United States Court of Appeals]] judges, [[U.S. Attorney]]s, ambassadors to foreign powers, high-ranking military commands and certain federal agencies such as [[NASA]] or the [[Environmental Protection Agency]].

* The Senate ratifies all treaties between the United States and foreign powers.

* The Senate ratifies all treaties between the United States and foreign powers.

* If there no majority in the [[Electoral College]], the Senate selects the Vice President while the House selects the President. The Senate has only used this power once: in 1837, when it elected [[Richard Mentor Johnson]] Vice President after Virginia's delegates to the Electoral College voted for Martin Van Buren but refused to vote for him, giving him one vote shy of a majority. Under the Twelfth Amendment, the Senate elected Johnson 36 to 16 with three abstentions along sharp party lines.

* If there is no majority in the [[Electoral College]], the Senate selects the Vice President while the House selects the President. The Senate has only used this power once: in 1837, when it elected [[Richard Mentor Johnson]] Vice President after Virginia's delegates to the Electoral College voted for Martin Van Buren but refused to vote for him, giving him one vote shy of a majority. Under the Twelfth Amendment, the Senate elected Johnson 36 to 16 with three abstentions along sharp party lines.

* A notable difference between the Senate and the House of Representatives is the ability for the minority to filibuster; in other words, 60 votes are required to force legislation to continue onto a voting period. The filibuster is important to prevent a majority of even 51 to 49 from forcing legislation through. This was crucial during the 110th congress from 2007-2009, where the Democrat Party had a majority of merely 51-49, and if not for the filibuster could have forced potentially harmful legislation through. However, in recent years the filibuster has been watered down.

* A notable difference between the Senate and the House of Representatives is the ability for the minority to filibuster; in other words, 60 votes are required to force legislation to continue onto a voting period. The filibuster is important to prevent a majority of even 51 to 49 from forcing legislation through. This was crucial during the 110th Congress from 2007-2009, where the Democratic Party had a majority of merely 51-49, and, if not for the filibuster, could have forced potentially harmful legislation through. However, in recent years the filibuster has been watered down.

==Current Composition==

==Current Composition==

*Democrat Party (Majority): 48

* Democratic Party (Majority): 48

*Republican Party (Minority): 50

* Republican Party (Minority): 50

*Independent (caucus with Democrats) : 2

* Independent (caucus with Democrats): 2

[[Ann Coulter]] complained that "Republicans lost their majorities in the House and the Senate in 2006, thanks to George W. Bush's highly effective "Keep the Base at Home on Election Day" campaign, which consisted of pushing amnesty for illegal aliens."<ref>[http://www.anncoulter.com/columns/2013-10-30.html Thank these Republicans for Obamacare]</ref>

[[Ann Coulter]] complained that "Republicans lost their majorities in the House and the Senate in 2006, thanks to George W. Bush's highly effective " Keep the Base at Home on Election Day" campaign, which consisted of pushing amnesty for illegal aliens."<ref>[http://www.anncoulter.com/columns/2013-10-30.html Thank these Republicans for Obamacare]</ref>

== In fiction ==

== In fiction ==

** Congressional Quarterly, ''Congress and the Nation: 1965–1968 '' (1969)

** Congressional Quarterly, ''Congress and the Nation: 1965–1968 '' (1969)

** Congressional Quarterly, ''Congress and the Nation: 1945–1964 '' (1965), the first of the series

** Congressional Quarterly, ''Congress and the Nation: 1945–1964 '' (1965), the first of the series

* Cooper, John Milton, Jr. ''Breaking the Heart of the World: Woodrow Wilson and the Fight for the League of Nations. '' (2001).

* Cooper, John Milton, Jr. ''Breaking the Heart of the World: Woodrow Wilson and the Fight for the League of Nations.'' (2001).

* Davidson, Roger H., and Walter J. Oleszek, eds. ''Congress and Its Members'', (CQ, 10th ed. 2007) (Legislative procedure, informal practices, and member information)

* Davidson, Roger H., and Walter J. Oleszek, eds. ''Congress and Its Members'', (CQ, 10th ed. 2007) (Legislative procedure, informal practices, and member information)

* Gould, Lewis L. ''The Most Exclusive Club: A History Of The Modern United States Senate'' (2005), the best history, by a leading historian

* Gould, Lewis L. ''The Most Exclusive Club: A History Of The Modern United States Senate'' (2005), the best history, by a leading historian

* Ritchie, Donald A. ''The Congress of the United States: A Student Companion'' (2nd ed. 2001).

* Ritchie, Donald A. ''The Congress of the United States: A Student Companion'' (2nd ed. 2001).

* Ritchie, Donald A. ''Reporting from Washington: The History of the Washington Press Corps'' (2005).

* Ritchie, Donald A. ''Reporting from Washington: The History of the Washington Press Corps'' (2005).

* Rothman, David. ''Politics and Power the United States Senate 1869–1901'' (1966)

* Rothman, David. ''Politics and Power: The United States Senate 1869–1901'' (1966)

* Swift, Elaine K. ''The Making of an American Senate: Reconstitutive Change in Congress, 1787–1841''. (1996)

* Swift, Elaine K. ''The Making of an American Senate: Reconstitutive Change in Congress, 1787–1841''. (1996)

* Valeo, Frank. ''Mike Mansfield, Majority Leader: A Different Kind of Senate, 1961–1976'' (1999) Montana Democrat and majority leader

* Valeo, Frank. ''Mike Mansfield, Majority Leader: A Different Kind of Senate, 1961–1976'' (1999) Montana Democrat and majority leader

* Weller, Cecil Edward, Jr. ''Joe T. Robinson: Always a Loyal Democrat.'' (1998). (Arkansas Democrat who was Majority leader in 1930s)

* Weller, Cecil Edward, Jr. ''Joe T. Robinson: Always a Loyal Democrat.'' (1998). (Arkansas Democrat who was Majority leader in 1930s)

* Wirls, Daniel and Wirls, Stephen. ''The Invention of the United States Senate'' (2004). (Early history)

* Wirls, Daniel and Wirls, Stephen. ''The Invention of the United States Senate'' (2004). (Early history)

* Zelizer, Julian E. ''On Capitol Hill : The Struggle to Reform Congress and its Consequences, 1948–2000'' (2006)

* Zelizer, Julian E. ''On Capitol Hill: The Struggle to Reform Congress and its Consequences, 1948–2000'' (2006)

* Zelizer, Julian E., ed. ''The American Congress: The Building of Democracy'' (2004) (overview)

* Zelizer, Julian E., ed. ''The American Congress: The Building of Democracy'' (2004) (overview)