The Upper House of Congress
Intended to not be bound totally by popular opinion
Represent entire state
A continuous body: all seats are never up for election at the same time.
Term Length: 6 years
Term Limit: none
Originally elected by state legislatures
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 retirement or death
Formal
- 30 years of age
- Lived in US for 9 years
- lives in state you're representing
Informal
- party, name familiarity, gender, race, political experience, fundraising ability
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 vote the senate can expel one of its members
This has been done 15 times
14 of which were during the civil war
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