Americans: How does the Senate system work?

Question

What decisions is the American Senate empowered to make? Can their decisions be over-ruled/vetoed by the President?
Does each State have the same number of Senators or is the number based on population?
Excuse my ignorance, I know very little about American politics and I'm just curious.

Answer 1

Each state has 2, count em, two Senators.

They have the ability to pass bills and debate them at their discretion. There decisions can be vetoed by the President, but in effect can also override a President's veto by a 2/3 vote in both the House and Senate (I do believe?) Senators can write bills, but recently in this session of Congress, you'll be seeing lots of bills coming into the Senate, that will just sit there and nothing will happen.

Answer 2

The senate is the senior part of the congress. They have final say on any bill sent to the president. If the president vetoes the bill then a vote of 2/3rd of the members can over ride the vote. The dems want a 1/5th vote. That would make it easier to over ride a presidental veto.There are 50 states & unlike the house each state has 2 senators. The senators run for reelection every 6 years where a rep runs every 2 . .

Answer 3

The Senate is the Upper House of the US Congress. There are 100 senators, two from each state, and elected by citizens of that state, not by population. They serve a 6-year term. So a small state, like Rhode Island has two, and California or Texas has two each.

Unlike the 435 members of the House of Representatives, who have limited rights of debate, Senators may have almost unlimited right to debate a bill, or "fillibuster", and prevent a vote, unless 60 of the members invoke a "cloture" motion, and close off debate and schedule a vote.

The Senate votes on all bills, whether originated by the Senators or by the House of Representatives. They can defeat any bill that comes before them, or pass it, and send it on to the other house, or to the President to sign or veto. So, yes, the President can overrule a bill that was approved by the senate and house, by the power of veto.

Also, the Senate has specific constitutional roles in "advise and consent" on all treaties proposed by the President, and the appointment of all Federal judges, and members of the President's Cabinet, heads of independent agencies and commissions set up by the Federal Law.

The Senate also acts as a jury in all cases of impeachment trials of any federal official. Through their power of holding hearings in their committees, they can investigate the need for new laws and regulations, or point out corruption or misfeasance in government, or abuse and need for regulation in private business, etc.

Answer 4

each state but get exactly 2 senators. each are elected to congress.

they combined with the house of representatives, which are more, each state gets more reps by thier population. the more people the more rep in the house they have.

they can in some circumstances overide a pres veto. often the senate and house like now are not the same majority poltical party as the pres.


learn more about the usa at www.firstgov.gov

Answer 5

One of the duties of the vice president of the United States is to preside over the Senate. The VP breaks ties on votes (if there are any- which are fairly uncommon). In state legislature, the Attorney General has this duty- to preside over the state senate.

Answer 6

Government for the People by the People.
As long as you are a Billionaire.