Omar Bennett
The United States Senate is one of Congress's two chambers, the other being the House of Representatives. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution, which has been in continuous effect since March 4, 1789. The Constitution sets out that each of the 50 states is represented by two senators serving staggered six-year terms, resulting in a Senate of 100 members.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of senators from each state | 2 |
| Length of term | 6 years |
| Age requirement to be a senator | 30 years old |
| Citizenship requirement to be a senator | 9 years |
| Staggered election | Every two years, one-third of the Senate's members are elected |
| Number of Representatives | No more than 1 for every 30,000 people, with each state having at least 1 representative |
| Age requirement to be a Representative | 25 years old |
| Citizenship requirement to be a Representative | 7 years |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution states that each state will have two senators
- Senators must be at least thirty years old, and have been a US citizen for nine years
- Senators are elected every six years, with one-third of seats up for election every two years
- Senators were appointed by state legislatures until the 1913 ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment
- The framers of the Constitution debated the length of terms and the class system
The US Constitution states that each state will have two senators
The US Constitution, specifically Article 1, Section 3, states that each state will have two senators. This has been the case since March 4, 1789, and ensures that each state is equally represented in the Senate. The senators from each state are chosen by the state legislature for six-year terms, with each senator holding one vote.
The Constitution also sets out certain requirements that must be met for an individual to become a senator. These include being at least thirty years old, having been a citizen of the United States for at least nine years, and being an inhabitant of the state for which they are chosen when elected.
The Senate is one of two chambers of Congress, the other being the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, with each state having a number of representatives proportional to its population. The Senate, on the other hand, provides equal representation for each state, regardless of its size or population.
The rotation of senators, with one-third of the Senate's members being elected or reelected every two years, established the idea that the Senate is a "continuing body". This is in contrast to the House of Representatives, where all members must stand for election every two years. The longer, overlapping Senate terms provide Congress with stability and continuity and lessen the immediate pressure of public opinion on senators.
Understanding Australia's Parliament: Members and Powers
You may want to see also
Senators must be at least thirty years old, and have been a US citizen for nine years
The United States Constitution, which has been in continuous effect since March 4, 1789, establishes the composition and powers of the Senate. Each of the 50 states is equally represented by two senators, regardless of the state's size or population. These senators serve staggered six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate's members being elected or re-elected every two years. This rotation of senators, with two-thirds carrying over from one Congress to the next, contributes to the Senate's character as a "continuing body."
The Constitution sets specific requirements that individuals must meet to become senators. One of the key stipulations, outlined in Article I, Section 3, Clause 3, states that "no person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States." This provision ensures that individuals seeking to represent their respective states in the Senate have attained a certain level of maturity and established a substantial connection to the country.
The delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention actively debated the qualifications for senators. Initially, the Committee of Detail proposed a four-year citizenship requirement for senators, which was one year longer than the proposed requirement for members of the House of Representatives. However, this discussion evolved further. Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania suggested that the Senate's citizenship requirement be doubled to 14 years, emphasizing the importance of mitigating the influence of "foreign attachments" in foreign affairs and treaty-making. Charles Pinckney of South Carolina concurred, highlighting the "peculiar danger and impropriety" of granting access to those with foreign allegiances.
On the other hand, Pierce Butler of South Carolina, himself born abroad, presented a nuanced perspective. He argued that naturalized citizens should have sufficient time to thoroughly understand and embrace American laws and customs before assuming the responsibilities of governmental service. This perspective underscored the importance of a robust understanding of the nation's legal and cultural foundations for anyone aspiring to shape its laws and policies as a senator.
The final consensus, as enshrined in the Constitution, settled on the requirement of nine years of citizenship for senators. This duration strikes a balance between ensuring a strong connection to the United States and allowing qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds to eventually serve in the Senate. It reflects the framers' intention to foster a Senate that embodies both stability and the evolving fabric of American society.
Citing the Constitution: In-Text Style Guide
You may want to see also
Senators are elected every six years, with one-third of seats up for election every two years
The United States Senate is composed of 100 senators, with each state having two senators who serve staggered six-year terms. This means that senators are elected every six years, but only one-third of the Senate's members are up for election or re-election every two years. This system of staggered elections is known as the three-class system, with each class consisting of about one-third of the senators.
The three-class system was adopted by the delegates of the 1787 Constitutional Convention, who debated both the Senate class system and the length of terms. The delegates ultimately voted 7 to 4 in favour of the six-year, three-class Senate. This system was designed to bring stability to the Senate and encourage gradual change, rather than risking a rapid turnover of the entire chamber every six years.
The three classes are determined by a scheme that keeps the classes as close to the same size as possible, with the largest class never differing by more than one senator from the smallest class. The seats are also divided so that each state's two senators are in different classes, ensuring that each seat's term ends in different years. This staggering of terms is arranged so that both seats from a given state are not contested in the same general election, except when filling a vacancy.
The three-class system promotes stability in the Senate and encourages senators to deliberate measures over time. It also prevents senators from permanently combining for "sinister purposes" by allowing for more frequent elections than if they were held every six years. This system also established the idea that the Senate is a ""continuing body", as two-thirds of its members carry over from one Congress to the next.
Unlivable Conditions: Suffolk County's Legal Definition
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The Constitution of the State of New York, Together with the Rules and Orders, Standing Committees, and List of Members of the Senate and Assembly for 1826. 1826 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Senators were appointed by state legislatures until the 1913 ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment
The United States Constitution, which has been in continuous effect since March 4, 1789, establishes the composition and powers of the Senate in Article One. The Constitution originally provided for the election of senators by state legislatures. Each state legislature would elect two senators to serve six-year terms. However, this system of "direct election" was not what the framers of the Constitution had in mind when they met at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
As early as 1826, resolutions calling for the direct popular election of senators appeared in the House of Representatives, but none succeeded. In the late 19th century, some state legislatures deadlocked over the election of senators when different parties controlled different houses, resulting in Senate vacancies lasting months or even years. Disputes among state legislators over Senate elections, intrastate political struggles, bribery, and intimidation gradually led to a growing movement to amend the Constitution to allow for the direct election of senators.
The Seventeenth Amendment (Amendment XVII) to the United States Constitution, ratified on April 8, 1913, established the direct election of United States senators in each state. The amendment superseded Article I, Section 3, Clauses 1 and 2 of the Constitution, under which senators were elected by state legislatures. It modified the Constitution by allowing voters to cast direct votes for senators, replacing the phrase "chosen by the Legislature thereof" with "elected by the people thereof." The amendment also altered the procedure for filling Senate vacancies, allowing state legislatures to authorize their governors to make temporary appointments until a special election could be held.
Double Charging: Fraud or Misunderstanding?
You may want to see also
The framers of the Constitution debated the length of terms and the class system
The framers of the United States Constitution established in Article I the structure and powers of Congress. The delegates who gathered in Philadelphia in 1787 debated the idea of a Congress made up of two houses. One house would be, in the words of Virginia's George Mason, the "grand depository of the democratic principle of government." James Madison of Virginia proposed a second house that would be small, deliberative, and independent from the larger, more democratic house. This became the Senate.
The characteristics of the Senate, including the basis of representation, the number of senators per state, the qualifications for office, the terms of service, and the powers that the body exercises, were the product of fierce debate and compromise. The drafters of the Constitution debated more about how to award representation in the Senate than about any other part of the Constitution. The framers looked to precedents in the British system of government and the state constitutions. The plan for the new government, including the Senate, was developed by delegates working in committees.
At the 1787 Constitutional Convention, delegates debated both the Senate class system and the length of terms. On June 25, Massachusetts delegate Nathaniel Gorham suggested a four-year Senate term with one-fourth of the senators elected each year. Edmund Randolph of Virginia supported a staggered rotation in the Senate with seven-year terms. Hugh Williamson of North Carolina countered that six-year terms were more easily divisible into equal election cycles than seven-year terms. The Constitution’s framers based this three-class system on precedents established by state governments. Every two years, one-third of the Senate’s members are elected (or reelected).
The framers also considered how to shield the judiciary from populist influence. The Constitution authorized a nationwide system of courts to protect the interests of the federal government, particularly with regard to taxation and the enforcement of federal treaties. To safeguard their political independence, federal judges were given tenure and protection from salary diminution.
John Locke's Influence on the US Constitution
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are 100 members in the Senate, with each of the 50 states being represented by two senators.
Senators are elected every six years, with one-third of the Senate’s members being elected or re-elected every two years.
To become a senator, an individual must be at least thirty years old, have been a citizen of the United States for nine years, and be an inhabitant of the state for which they are chosen.
![Manual of members, officers, and standing committees and rules of the Senate of Virginia; also, the constitution of Virginia. 1899 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
