The Senate

The Senate

The Upper House of Congress
Intended to not be bound totally by popular opinion
Represent entire state
A continuous body: never a time in which all seats are up for election at once.
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  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 

1.  30 years of age
2.  US citizen for 9 years
3.   inhabitant of state

Informal

1. 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