THE SENATE

The Upper House

About 1/3 of the members of the Senate have served in the House of Representatives House is a stepping stone to Senate

It is seen as a more distinguished position

It has more stringent requirements for election

Thus, it is called the “upper house”

Size of the Senate

We know that is has two Senators from each state Total of 100 (50 x 2) But why?

The Framers though it would be “more enlightened and responsible” if it we smaller

The Senate is driven by stability and the future The House is driven by the now and popular

sentiment

The Senate Chambers

Current Senate Breakdown

Election to the Senate

Election process for the Senate has been changed since the adoption of the Constitution

Prior to 1913, they were chosen by state legislatures Leaders always tried to manipulate the system Bribes were not uncommon

The 17th Amendment brought the direct election of Senators

They are elected in November in the general election

Terms in the Senate

Senators are elected for six year terms There is no term limit in the Senate Senators’ terms are staggered Only 1/3 are elected every two years The six year term gives them greater job

security They are less prone to special interest groups They are able to grab more national attention They focus on the big picture more

16 Senators have gone on to be President

Robert Byrd, D-WV (51 years, 176 days)

Daniel Inouye, D-HI (49 years, 349 days)

Strom Thurmond, R-SC (47 years, 159 days)

Presidents Who Were Senators Richard Nixon Benjamin

Harrison Barack Obama John Quincy

Adams J.F.K. Harry Truman Franklin Pierce Martin Van Buren

W.H.H. Warren Harding James Buchanan Andrew Jackson Andrew Johnson L.B.J. James Monroe John Tyler

Qualifications for the Senate Senators must be 30 years old Senators must have been a citizen for 9 years Senators must live in the state they are

elected from These are slightly high requirements than the

House of Representatives The same types of informal requirements

apply for Senators as well Like the House, members may be expelled or

not seated for various reasons

Henry Clay (29 years old)

Armistead Thomson Mason(28 years old)

John Eaton(28 years old)

Punishment and Expulsion

Fifteen members have been expelled from the Senate in its history One in 1797 (organizing an attack on

Spanish Florida) Fourteen during the Civil War (confederate

Senators for supporting secession) Although not common, people are

reprimanded and resign on their own accord Bob Packwood in 1995