About the Senate
A Short Senate History
The U.S. Senate was established on July 16, 1787 with the ratification of the United States Constitution.
On September 17, 1788, the first two Senators were elected: William Maclay and Robert Morris of Pennsylvania.
On November 17, 1800, the Senate moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. The Capitol Building had not yet been completed when the Senators convened for their first session, and so they met in what is know known as the Old Supreme Court Chamber on the first floor of the Capitol.
To read more about Senate History, click here.
Click here to learn how our laws are made.
Quick Senate Facts:
- U.S. Senators are elected to serve terms of 6 years and terms are staggered so that about 1/3 of the Senate seats are up for election every two years.
- The Vice President of the United States also serves as the President of the Senate and can cast the tie-breaking vote in the event the vote is split evenly.
- Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution gives the U.S. Senate power to approve, by a two-thirds vote, international treaties made by the Executive Branch. The two-thirds requirement ensures that all treaties will have bipartisan approval.
- Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution also gives the U.S. Senate sole power to review and approve or reject Presidential appointees to Executive and Judicial Branch posts. This oversight power includes appointments to the Supreme Court, Ambassadors, Federal judges, and Presidential Cabinet members.
- Each U.S. Senator is assigned a desk in the Senate Chamber (unlike in the U.S. House of Representatives) and it tradition to sign one's name in their desk.
- A filibuster is a term used to describe an attempt by a U.S. Senator to block or delay action on a bill or other matter under consideration. Sixty votes are needed to overcome it.
To learn more Senate facts, click here.