Learn About the Senate
Learn About the Senate What do you think happens every day in the U.S. Senate? Lots of things! Senators discuss and vote on bills, meet in many different committees to hold hearings on important issues of the day, and talk to people from their home states who travel to Washington, D.C. with questions. The official web site of the U.S. Senate, located at www.senate.gov, is a great resource to help people of all ages learn more about the Senate and its history. Check out the links below to learn more about "the greatest deliberative body in the world."

  • How the Senate Works: Who can be a Senator? What does the Constitution say about the Senate, and how has the body's role evolved? Answers to these questions, "This Week in Senate History," and much more.
  • Who Are the Senators?: A list of U.S. Senators grouped by state. An alphabetical listing is posted here.
  • The Legislative Process: A description of the rules and procedures by which the Senate and its members must abide to conduct business, including information on debate and filibusters, referring a bill to committee, amendments, and votes.
  • Senate History: Explore the Senate's past on this in-depth page, including an oral history, photos, artwork, biographical information on all Senators, even a quiz!
  • The Senate's Legislative Calendar: Need to know what's going on in the Senate right this very minute? Check this page for different lists of bills and resolutions awaiting Senate floor actions, such as debates, votes, or House-Senate conferences.
  • Committee Meetings and Hearings Schedule: Interested in what's going on off the Senate floor? This schedule, updated each day, lists all the committee meetings and hearings scheduled throughout the Senate. Most hearings are open to the public, so if you're visiting Washington D.C., consider stopping by!
  • Votes: Need to know how a Senator voted on a certain bill? This page includes results of all the roll call votes since 1989.
  • Visiting the Senate: Planning a trip to Washington D.C.? Check this page for information on visiting hours for the Capitol building, tours, maps, and more. Or take the U.S. Capitol Virtual Tour to visit the Capitol without leaving your chair!
  • Senate Bean Soup Recipe: The preferred lunch of Senators and Senate staff for nearly a hundred years! Learn the history behind this delectable dish, then try it yourself.
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