Difference between revisions of "United States Senate"
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| − | The '''United States Senate''' is one of the two Houses of [[Congress]]. It is composed of 100 members, two from each of the 50 [[state]]s. The Senate convenes in [[Washington, D.C.]]. As of 2007, the Senate is equally divided, with 49 [[Republican]]s and 49 [[Democrat]]s. [[Independent]]s [[Bernie Sanders]] and [[Joe Lieberman]] caucus with the [[Democratic Party]], giving Democrats the majority and control. | + | The '''United States Senate''' is one of the two Houses of [[Congress]]. It is composed of 100 members, two from each of the 50 [[state]]s. The Senate convenes in [[Washington, D.C.]]. As of 2007, the Senate is equally divided, with 49 [[Republican]]s and 49 [[Democrat]]s. [[Independent]]s [[Bernie Sanders]] and [[Joe Lieberman]] caucus with the [[Democratic Party]], giving Democrats the majority and control. However, certain actions require a two thirds majority to pass. Also, if one Democratic senator votes against party lines, is ill, or abstains from voting, the Republican minority will win the vote. |
The position of '''President of the Senate''' is filled by the [[Vice President of the United States]], and he casts the deciding vote in case of a tie. The Senate's current Majority Leader is [[Democrat]] [[Harry Reid]], and the Minority Leader is the [[Republican]] [[Mitch McConnell]]. <ref>http://senate.gov/pagelayout/senators/a_three_sections_with_teasers/leadership.htm</ref> | The position of '''President of the Senate''' is filled by the [[Vice President of the United States]], and he casts the deciding vote in case of a tie. The Senate's current Majority Leader is [[Democrat]] [[Harry Reid]], and the Minority Leader is the [[Republican]] [[Mitch McConnell]]. <ref>http://senate.gov/pagelayout/senators/a_three_sections_with_teasers/leadership.htm</ref> | ||
Revision as of 20:19, September 25, 2007
The United States Senate is one of the two Houses of Congress. It is composed of 100 members, two from each of the 50 states. The Senate convenes in Washington, D.C.. As of 2007, the Senate is equally divided, with 49 Republicans and 49 Democrats. Independents Bernie Sanders and Joe Lieberman caucus with the Democratic Party, giving Democrats the majority and control. However, certain actions require a two thirds majority to pass. Also, if one Democratic senator votes against party lines, is ill, or abstains from voting, the Republican minority will win the vote.
The position of President of the Senate is filled by the Vice President of the United States, and he casts the deciding vote in case of a tie. The Senate's current Majority Leader is Democrat Harry Reid, and the Minority Leader is the Republican Mitch McConnell. [1]
See also U.S. Senate Glossary.
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.
