WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Senate is now in its 113th Congress and Senate elections which will be held again in November. When making a decision about who to vote for, one can look at the powers and restrictions granted by the constitution to the Senate and how that defines what a Senator must be. Here are ten of the more prominent features of the US Senate.
1. Long in the Tooth
Senators are elected to six year terms, though there is no limit to the number of terms one may serve. Combine this with a minimum age requirement of 30 years, and you have a recipe that created some very veteran statesman. Robert Byrd from West Virginia holds the record and served 51 years, from 1959-2010. The oldest serving Senator was Strom Thurmond from South Carolina. He was a seasoned 100 years old his last year in office.
Senators are elected to six year terms, though there is no limit to the number of terms one may serve. Combine this with a minimum age requirement of 30 years, and you have a recipe that created some very veteran statesman. Robert Byrd from West Virginia holds the record and served 51 years, from 1959-2010. The oldest serving Senator was Strom Thurmond from South Carolina. He was a seasoned 100 years old his last year in office.
2. Only 2 per State
Each state was given an equal share of the Senate floor by this rule so that minority states would have an equal voice to those states that house the majority of the nation’s people. That means there are 100 hundred Senators today, though the first Senate, in 1789, only had 22 members. It’s doubtful the framers of the constitution could have envisioned that today, 52 Senators, more than half, would combine to represent less than 20 percent of the population.
Each state was given an equal share of the Senate floor by this rule so that minority states would have an equal voice to those states that house the majority of the nation’s people. That means there are 100 hundred Senators today, though the first Senate, in 1789, only had 22 members. It’s doubtful the framers of the constitution could have envisioned that today, 52 Senators, more than half, would combine to represent less than 20 percent of the population.
3. Elections
Though each Senator’s term is six years, elections for the senate happen every two years while the length of a senate “Congress” is 2 years. Roughly one third of senators, then, are up for reelection during any one Congress. Today, senators are elected by direct vote of the people in their state, needing a plurality of the votes. Originally, they were elected by state legislatures, but this was changed by the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913 because of rampant corruption in this practice.
Though each Senator’s term is six years, elections for the senate happen every two years while the length of a senate “Congress” is 2 years. Roughly one third of senators, then, are up for reelection during any one Congress. Today, senators are elected by direct vote of the people in their state, needing a plurality of the votes. Originally, they were elected by state legislatures, but this was changed by the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913 because of rampant corruption in this practice.
4. Informal Atmosphere
Due to the relatively small size of the Senate, many things happen with less restriction than possible in the House of Representatives. There are fewer rules and less people to get to know with a longer time span to know them. Thus, many decisions end up being made between senators and not on the Senate floor. The Senate also a rule of unanimous consent that allows some procedures to be dispensed with quickly, assuming there is not one objection.
Due to the relatively small size of the Senate, many things happen with less restriction than possible in the House of Representatives. There are fewer rules and less people to get to know with a longer time span to know them. Thus, many decisions end up being made between senators and not on the Senate floor. The Senate also a rule of unanimous consent that allows some procedures to be dispensed with quickly, assuming there is not one objection.
5. Informal Leadership
The Vice President presides over the Senate, though, in name only. His only power is to break ties on votes, which is seldom needed. The true leaders come from the floor and are elected from within parties. The Majority party leader and the Minority party leader must work together to create a legislative calendar for the senate, but most of their power, and the power of committee leaders, is earned informally by the compliance of other Senators to their leadership.
The Vice President presides over the Senate, though, in name only. His only power is to break ties on votes, which is seldom needed. The true leaders come from the floor and are elected from within parties. The Majority party leader and the Minority party leader must work together to create a legislative calendar for the senate, but most of their power, and the power of committee leaders, is earned informally by the compliance of other Senators to their leadership.
6. Committees
Over 3,000 bills are seen by Senate committees every two years, yet only around 500 are ever brought to a vote. There are sixteen standing committees, along with four joint committees and many subcommittees, that allow Senators to focus on individual issues more acutely. Committee members are nominated by their party and approved by the Senate’s presiding officer, though no two Senators from the same state may serve on the same committee.
Over 3,000 bills are seen by Senate committees every two years, yet only around 500 are ever brought to a vote. There are sixteen standing committees, along with four joint committees and many subcommittees, that allow Senators to focus on individual issues more acutely. Committee members are nominated by their party and approved by the Senate’s presiding officer, though no two Senators from the same state may serve on the same committee.
7. Amendments
Amendments on bills are rather confusing but important lawmaking processes that are often lengthy and can even wholly substitute the original bill. Most amendments are brought forth by committees, though individual senators may propose them as well. Moreover, every amendment must be read and agreed upon before a bill can be voted on. Just remember these two quotes from the Senate’s website: “The only amendments from the floor in order during the consideration of these committee amendments are amendments to the committee amendments” and “any senator may propose amendments to any part of the bill not already amended, and while an amendment is pending, an amendment to the amendment is in order. By precedent, an amendment to an amendment to an amendment… is not in order.” Clarify things?
Amendments on bills are rather confusing but important lawmaking processes that are often lengthy and can even wholly substitute the original bill. Most amendments are brought forth by committees, though individual senators may propose them as well. Moreover, every amendment must be read and agreed upon before a bill can be voted on. Just remember these two quotes from the Senate’s website: “The only amendments from the floor in order during the consideration of these committee amendments are amendments to the committee amendments” and “any senator may propose amendments to any part of the bill not already amended, and while an amendment is pending, an amendment to the amendment is in order. By precedent, an amendment to an amendment to an amendment… is not in order.” Clarify things?
8. Treaties and International Agreements
By two thirds vote, the Senate has the sole power to ratify treaties and international agreements which set terms for America’s relations with other countries. They are also, by the constitution, to be consulted in the formation of treaties. Presidents submit treaties in writing to be considered since George Washington, famously, was once forced to wait extendedly after attending the Senate in person.
By two thirds vote, the Senate has the sole power to ratify treaties and international agreements which set terms for America’s relations with other countries. They are also, by the constitution, to be consulted in the formation of treaties. Presidents submit treaties in writing to be considered since George Washington, famously, was once forced to wait extendedly after attending the Senate in person.
9. Nominations
The Senate also has the power to approve nominations to the cabinet, judgeships, ambassadors and other “Officers of the United States.” Each Congress deliberates on the appointment of almost 70,000 individuals, but usually only the most high profile positions are met with dissent. Much of this dissent is highly politicized and the strongest opposition generally comes from the minority party.
The Senate also has the power to approve nominations to the cabinet, judgeships, ambassadors and other “Officers of the United States.” Each Congress deliberates on the appointment of almost 70,000 individuals, but usually only the most high profile positions are met with dissent. Much of this dissent is highly politicized and the strongest opposition generally comes from the minority party.
10. Long Winded
America’s Senate has a tool unique to the world, dedicated to ensuring the minority’s voice can be heard, the filibuster. This comes out of the Senate’s right to “endless debate” and allows one Senator to hold the floor, blocking an impending vote. Though the intention might have been to ensure any opposing opinions would be heard, the actuality has been everything from readings of Shakespeare to cook books. Strom Thurmond holds the dubious record of longest filibuster, lasting 24 hours and 18 minutes, while trying to block to the Civil Rights Act of 1957. It was the first anti-segregation legislation passed in America since the late 1800’s and the senate’s long, publicized debate of the issue increased awareness about and, ultimately, support for the issue of civil rights.
America’s Senate has a tool unique to the world, dedicated to ensuring the minority’s voice can be heard, the filibuster. This comes out of the Senate’s right to “endless debate” and allows one Senator to hold the floor, blocking an impending vote. Though the intention might have been to ensure any opposing opinions would be heard, the actuality has been everything from readings of Shakespeare to cook books. Strom Thurmond holds the dubious record of longest filibuster, lasting 24 hours and 18 minutes, while trying to block to the Civil Rights Act of 1957. It was the first anti-segregation legislation passed in America since the late 1800’s and the senate’s long, publicized debate of the issue increased awareness about and, ultimately, support for the issue of civil rights.
– Tyson Watkins
Sources: Senate.gov, Congress Link, USA Today
Photo: Techno Buffalo