Senate
The Senate gives every state equal representation. Senators serve longer, staggered terms and hold special authority over nominations, treaties, and impeachment trials.
“The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State.”
Equal state representation
Every state has two senators, no matter its population. That design makes the Senate different from the House.
Statewide
Two senators per state
Senators represent entire states, not districts, and their elections are staggered across three classes.
Advice and consent
Nominations and treaties
The Senate confirms many presidential nominees and votes on whether to ratify treaties.
Trials
Impeachment trials
When the House impeaches, the Senate holds the trial and votes on whether to convict.
Senate work
Longer terms, wider scope
The Senate’s smaller size, statewide constituencies, and longer terms shape its committee work, floor debate, and special constitutional responsibilities.
Compare
Different from the House
The Senate represents states equally, while the House represents people by district. Both chambers usually must agree before a bill can become law.
Senators by state
A state-focused Senate directory can stay compact because each state has two senators.
Senators by state
Use the Senate directory to focus on the two senators from each state. Member cards can connect visitors to profile pages, votes, sponsored bills, committees, and official source links when available.
How the Senate works
The Senate relies more heavily on extended debate, unanimous consent agreements, committee review, and statewide representation. Its smaller size gives individual senators more leverage than members typically have in the House.
Committees
Review nominees and bills
Committees hold hearings, mark up legislation, and consider nominations.
Consent
Floor action
Much Senate business depends on negotiated agreements about debate and timing.
Special votes
Distinct responsibilities
Confirmations, treaties, cloture votes, and impeachment trials give the Senate distinct responsibilities.
How a Senate bill moves
A Senate bill moves through introduction, referral, committee work, floor action, and agreement with the House.
Introduce
A senator introduces a bill.
Committee
The bill is reviewed or revised.
Floor
The Senate debates and votes.
House
The other chamber acts.
President
Final text goes to the President.
How to use this page
Use Senate Home without getting lost.
The Senate page helps visitors see how equal state representation, six-year terms, confirmations, treaties, and procedure shape lawmaking.
Official starting points
Use these sources to check current text, records, deadlines, forms, votes, rules, or public notices.
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