The Senate

The Senate

  • The Senate is known as the upper house. It is more prestigious to be a senator than a representative

Size

  • Only 100 senators, compared to 435 representatives

  • The Framers wanted them to be more enlightened and make more informed decisions

  • Stricter qualifications for senators

Qualifications

  • At least 30 years old

  • A citizens of US for at least 9 years

  • Must live in the state he or she represents

  • Senators can be expelled for misconduct with a ⅔ vote

Election

  • Originally chosen by state legislatures

  • With the 17th amendment in 1913, they are currently chosen at large by popular election

  • States only elect one senator at a time

Term

  • Six year terms, with no term limits

  • Continuous Body - All of the seats are never up for elections at the same time

  • Only ⅓ of seats expire every two years

  • Constituency - The people and interests a politician represents

    • A larger constituency lets them focus on bigger issues