The Legislative Branch
The Senate
- The U.S. Senate is the upper legislative chamber in the federal government.
- Each state is granted two senators who represent the entire state; senators serve six-year terms and are popularly elected by their constituents.
- The President of the United States has the power to negotiate treaties and agreements with other nations, but the Senate must ratify them by a two-thirds vote in order to take effect.
- Every 2 years, 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election. 2 years later, another 1/3 is, and 2 years after that, the last 1/3 is. After 6 years, it comes back to that 1st 1/3 again.
- Senate tries all impeachments, and they need a 2/3 majority to convict.
President of the Senate (Joseph Biden Jr.)
Biden is to preside over the Senate and cannot vote in the Senate, except to break a 50/50 tie.
President Pro Tempore (Orrin Hatch)
The President Pro Tempore presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.
Majority Leader (Mitch McConnell)
The majority leader has the right to be called upon first if several senators are seeking recognition by the presiding officer. This allows him to offer motions or amendments before any other senator.
- The Vice President of the United States is the head of the Senate and only votes in the event of a 50/50 tie.
- The President Pro Tempore is second in command and presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.
- The Majority and Minority Leader's have oversight responsibility over the Secretary and Leader Assistants.