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The '''United States Senate''' is the upper house of the [[United States Congress]], the lower house being the [[United States House of Representatives]]. It is composed of 100 Senators, two from each of the 50 [[state]]s. The Senate convenes in [[Washington, D.C.]]. After the 2008 election, Democrats control the Senate, with 58 Democrats and 40 Republicans. [[Independent]]s [[Bernie Sanders]] and [[Joe Lieberman]] caucus with the [[Democratic Party]], giving Democrats a filibuster-proof majority and control of the committees.

The '''United States Senate''' is the upper house of the [[United States Congress]], the lower house being the [[United States House of Representatives]]. It is composed of 100 Senators, two from each of the 50 [[state]]s. The Senate convenes in [[Washington, D.C.]]. Currently, Democrats control the Senate, with 57 Democrats and 41 Republicans. [[Independent]]s [[Bernie Sanders]] and [[Joe Lieberman]] caucus with the [[Democratic Party]].

As far as voting on individual bills, most votes are not strictly along party lines, and senators from both parties can and do cross lines against what their leadership endorses on different issues. It should also be pointed out that many bills have bipartisan support, meaning that the bill has strong support among both Republicans and Democrats.

As far as voting on individual bills, most votes are not strictly along party lines, and senators from both parties can and do cross lines against what their leadership endorses on different issues. It should also be pointed out that many bills have bipartisan support, meaning that the bill has strong support among both Republicans and Democrats.

==Current Composition==

==Current Composition==

*'''Democratic Party (Majority)''': 58

*'''Democratic Party (Majority)''': 57

*'''Republican Party (Minority)''': 40

*'''Republican Party (Minority)''': 41

*'''Independant Democrats'''      : 2

*'''Independant Democrats'''      : 2