Introduction to the Senate

The Senate is an institution of deliberation and compromise. Each state is represented by two senators, elected to six-year terms. The public trusts these senators to represent their interests when introducing legislation, passing appropriations bills, and considering presidential appointments.

LEGISLATION

There are four types of legislation: bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, and simple resolutions. A majority of introduced legislative items are bills, which deal with domestic and foreign issues and programs and also appropriate money to various government agencies and programs. [MORE]

APPROPRIATIONS

Each year, by the first Monday in February, the president presents to Congress his annual budget request for the following fiscal year. The budget contains estimates of federal government income and spending for the upcoming fiscal year and also recommends funding levels for the federal government. Congress then must pass appropriations bills based on the president's recommendations and Congressional priorities. [MORE]

PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS

The Constitution provides that the president appoints officers of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate. [MORE]

SENATE AT A GLANCE

 

HOW LAWS ARE MADE

After a senator introduces legislation, it is assigned to the appropriate committee and subcommittee. [MORE]

MY ROLE AS A SENATOR

Among their other duties, senators debate and introduce legislation on many different topics. [MORE]

Photo of a young, college-age woman with her hands on a stack of books. She is smiling at the camera. This photo is also a link to the Student's Page.STUDENTS' PAGE

Elementary, junior high, high school, and college students can all benefit from learning more about the Senate. [MORE]

GLOSSARY

Like any field, policy making uses a vocabulary of specific terms. [MORE]