The Senate

Although Congressional elections are held every two years, only one-third of the Senate stands for election at two-year intervals. Senators are elected to six-year terms, which overlap. Thus, in any election year, only one-third of the Senate is affected, the remaining two-thirds being members whose terms have not expired. In the House of Representatives the entire membership is elected every two years.

Each State is entitled to be represented in the Senate by two senators, without regard to density of population.

The individual seats are numbered and assigned on request of senators in order of their seniority. Democrats occupy the west side of the chamber – on the Vice-President's right; Republicans sit across the main aisle to his left. There is no set rule for the seating of "independents".

The Vice-President of the United States presides in the Senate. He is referred to in the Senate as "Mr. President", because his title in that body is "President of the Senate".

The Senate also elects from among its members a President pro tempore, who holds office at the pleasure of the Senate and presides during absences of the Vice-President of the United States. He participates in Senate debates and votes.

The Vice-President can vote in the Senate only in the event of a tie vote.

Senators receive allowances for secretarial and clerical assistance. Allowances vary according to the population of the states. Senators from large states like New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and California may employ more personnel than senators from smaller states. Allowances are based on population, because senators with the largest number of constituents need more help with correspondence and other duties.

When a senator rises to introduce a bill, he says, "Mr. President" and waits for the Vice-President to recognise him. The Vice-President recognises the senator by looking at him and saying: "The Senator from ...", naming the state from which the senator comes.

Then the senator states that he desires to introduce a bill.

A senator often introduces several bills at the same time by saying that he desires to introduce sundry bills and have them referred to the proper committees. A senator may introduce a bill at any time by obtaining unanimous consent for that purpose.

Formerly a bill was first read by title at the time of introduction. Since 1890, the first reading is accomplished by the mere printing of the title in the "Congressional Record" and the "Journal".

The standing committees of the Senate are as follows: Aeronautical and Space Science; Agriculture and Forestry; Appropriations; Armed Services; Banking and Currency; District of Columbia; Finance; Foreign Relations; Government Operations; Interior and Insular Affairs; Interstate and Foreign Commerce; Judiciary; Labour and Public Welfare; Post Office and Civil Service; Public Works; Rules and Administration. The number of committee members varies from 9 to 25,

Each Senate committee is authorised to establish a quorum for transaction of business — not less than one-third of the membership of the committee. A majority of the committee must be present to report a bill or recommendation.

Text D. Read the text and ask questions on it to be discussed in class.