2019 Senaatin Vaalit

The Senate is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress, the other being the House of Representatives. It is a legislative body that shares responsibility with the House of Representatives for making laws at the federal level. The Senate is composed…   of two senators from each state, regardless of the state's population, resulting in a total of 100 senators. This equal representation of states in the Senate is designed to balance the power of the more populous states in the House of Representatives.<br /><br />The Senate has several exclusive powers not granted to the House of Representatives. These include the authority to ratify treaties, which requires a two-thirds majority vote, and the power to confirm appointments made by the President of the United States, including cabinet members, federal judges, and ambassadors. The Senate also has the power to try impeachment cases initiated by the House of Representatives, with the ability to remove the impeached official from office.<br /><br />The office of the Senate is led by the Vice President of the United States, who serves as the President of the Senate. However, the Vice President does not have a vote in the Senate unless there is a tie. In the Vice President's absence, the Senate's presiding officer is the President pro tempore, who is traditionally the longest-serving member from the majority party. The Senate also elects other officers, including a Secretary and a Sergeant at Arms, who have administrative and procedural responsibilities.<br /><br />The Senate operates under its own set of rules and procedures, separate from the House of Representatives. It is known for its tradition of unlimited debate, which allows any senator to speak for as long as they wish on any topic they choose, unless three-fifths of the senators vote for cloture, a motion to end the debate. This tradition has been used in the past to filibuster, or delay, legislative action.<br /><br />In summary, the Senate plays a crucial role in the U.S. legislative process, with unique powers and responsibilities. It serves as a check on the executive branch and ensures equal representation of all states in the legislative&nbsp;process.Lue lisää