Senate History & Facts
Learn more about the United States Senate and its rich history.
- Senate History: The U.S. Senate was established on July 16, 1787 with the ratification of the United States Constitution. Read more...
- U.S. Capitol: The Senate moved from Philadelphia to Washington on November 17, 1800. The Capital Building was not yet completed when the Senators convened for their first session in Washington and so they met in what is know known as the Old Supreme Court Chamber on the first floor of the Capital. Read more...
- Term of Office: 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. Read more...
- Vice President: 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. Read more...
- Treaties: 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. Read more...
- Appointments: Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution also give 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. Read more...
- Desks: Each U.S. Senator is assigned a desk in the Senate Chamber (unlike in the U.S. House of Representatives) and it is tradition to sign one's name in their desk. This is my desk.
- Filibuster: 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. Read more...
- Notable Maryland Senators: Charles Carroll was the first U.S. Senator from Maryland. A statue of him represents Maryland in the U.S. Capital National Statuary Hall Collection. He was the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence when he died at age 96. Read more...
