The Upper House of Congress
Intended to not be bound totally by popular opinion
Represent entire state
A continuous body: there is never a time in which all seats are up for election at once
Term Length: 6 years
Term Limit: none
Originally elected by state legislators
17 Amendment changed procedures to election by voters.
Before this amendment the Senate was nicknamed the millionaire's club due too the purchasing of seats.
Only one senator for each state is elected at any given election
Exceptions death and retirement
Formal
- 30 years old
- state residence
- 9 years citizen
Informal
- money, 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 majority 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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