In this article you will learn about The US Senate in Political Science.
The US Senate : The Upper House of the US Congress
The Senate is the second but more powerful house of the US Congress and it enjoys a bigger share of power in the US Congress. Its legislative powers are equal to that of the House of the Representatives and in addition to these it has special executive powers. In fact, the US Senate has the distinction of being the most powerful second chamber in the whole world. Whereas other second chambers are either less powerful than or have equal power with their representative lower houses, the Senate is more powerful than even the US lower house. The Senate occupies a pivotal position in the constitutional system. There are certain things which the Senate and the House of Representatives do together. There are others which the Senate and the President can do together. But there is practically little which the President and the House of Representatives might be able to do without the help of the Senate.
The Senate has a number of powers and responsibilities. It is responsible for approving presidential nominations to federal positions, including judges and cabinet members. The Senate also has the power to ratify treaties with foreign countries and to try impeachments of federal officials, including the President of the United States. Additionally, the Senate has the power to pass legislation, which must be approved by the House of Representatives before it can become law.
The Senate is led by the Vice President of the United States, who serves as the President of the Senate. However, the Vice President can only vote in the Senate in the case of a tie. In the absence of the Vice President, the Senate is led by the President pro tempore, who is typically the most senior member of the majority party.
The US Senate represents the state of the Federation on the basis of equality. Each state of the US Federation, irrespective of its size and population, sends two members to the Senate. Nevada is much smaller than New York yet each sends two representatives to the Senate.
There are 50 of the US federation and each elects two representatives to the Senate. Hence there are 100 members in the Senate. Senators are elected through direct popular vote, but until the passage of the 17th Amendment in 1913, Senators were chosen by state legislatures. This change was made in response to concerns about corruption and the influence of special interests in the selection of Senators.
Senators are elected on a staggered basis, with one-third of the Senate up for reelection every two years. This ensures that there is always a level of continuity in the Senate, as well as a degree of turnover.
The Senate has a number of rules and procedures that govern its operation. One of the most important of these is the filibuster, which allows a minority of Senators to block legislation from being passed by the Senate. In order to overcome a filibuster, a supermajority of 60 Senators must vote to end debate on a bill.
The Senate is also known for its use of committees, which are groups of Senators who are tasked with studying specific issues and making recommendations to the full Senate. Committees play an important role in the legislative process, as they are often responsible for drafting legislation and conducting hearings on important issues.
The Senate is often described as the more deliberative and prestigious of the two chambers of Congress, due in part to its smaller size and longer terms of office. Senators are often seen as having a greater degree of independence than their counterparts in the House of Representatives, as they are not subject to the same level of pressure from their constituents due to the larger size of their states.
The Senate has been the site of many historic debates and actions over the years. Some of the most notable include the debates over the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles, the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.
Overall, the United States Senate plays a critical role in the functioning of the federal government. Its members are responsible for passing legislation, confirming important appointments, and conducting oversight of the executive branch. While the Senate has faced criticism over the years for its slow pace and its use of the filibuster, it remains an important institution that is essential to the functioning of American democracy.
This article on The US Senate in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.