⇒ The senate is made up of 100 Senators, they all serve a 6 year term, with 1/3 elected every 2 years

⇒ Ratifies treaties signed by the President (e.g. refused to ratify Paris Climate Change Treaty signed by Obama but did ratify his strategic arms reduction treaty)

⇒ Confirms Presidential appointments (e.g. refused to heard Merrick Garland in 2016 and rejected Bork in 1988)

⇒ Selects Vice-President if the Electoral College is in deadlock (e.g. only used once in 1836)

⇒ Individual Senators have the power to filibuster (only compelled to stop if 60 Senators vote for a closure motion e.g. filbustered Gorsuch's appointment)

⇒ Try cases of impeachment (e.g. acquitted President Clinton)

⇒ Made up of 435 seats, completely re-elected every 2 years

⇒ Initiates money bills (the Founding Fathers believed that only the directly elected representatives should have a say in spending the people's money) e.g. debt bill in 2011

⇒ Power of impeachment (used 19 times since 1789, most famous being Clinton in 1998)

⇒ Elects the President if the Electoral College is deadlocked (only used twice, 1800 and 1824)

⇒ All bills must pass through all stages in both houses

⇒ Both houses must vote by 2/3 majority to override the President's veto of a bill (e.g. in 2007 they overrode Bush's veto of the Water Resources Development Bill)

⇒ Co-equal in initiating constitutional amendments (2/3 majority in both houses)

⇒ Both houses must concur in a declaration of war (most recently in 1941 with Japan)

⇒ Also see our notes on:

• Power
• Legislative Process
• Influence
• Representation
• Effectiveness