1-16-14

 

Senate Outline

The Senate
The Upper House of Congress
Intended to not be bound totally by popular opinion
Represent       entire state                               
A continuous body:   there is never a time where all seats are up for election     
Term Length:            6 years                       
Term Limit:        no limit                              

Originally elected by   state legislature                                         

17 Amendment changed procedures to election by voters.

Before this amendment the Senate was nicknamed the       millionaires club                          due too the purchasing of seats.

Only one senator for each state is elected at any given election

Exceptions    death and retirement                        

Formal

1. Must be 30 years old 
2. Must be a state resident 
3. Must be a citizen for 9 years

Informal

1. Money, gender, race, name familiarity, fund raising ability, experience, party

Other Senators can exclude a member with a majority vote

This has been done on  3        occasions

Senators  have the power to punish their colleagues for disorderly conduct

With a   2/3 majority          vote the senate can expel one of its members

This has been done    15          times

14 of which were during the     Civil War