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UNITED STATES SENATE
The United States Senate is sometimes referred to as the upper house of the
bicameral United States Congress, the lower house being the House of
Representatives, although the constitution does not use these terms.
In the Senate, each state is represented by two members. Membership is
therefore based on the equal representation of each state, regardless of
population, for a total membership of 100. Senators serve six-year terms that
are staggered so elections are held for a third of the seats (a "class") every
second year.
The Senate is regarded as a more deliberative body than the House of
Representatives; the Senate is smaller and its members serve longer terms,
allowing for a more collegial and less partisan atmosphere that is somewhat more
insulated from public opinion than the House.[1] The Senate has several
exclusive powers enumerated in Article One of the Constitution not granted to
the House; most significantly, the President cannot ratify treaties or, with
rare exception, make important appointments — most significantly ambassadors,
members of the federal judiciary (including the Supreme Court), governors of the
Federal Reserve and members of the Cabinet — without the advice and consent of
the Senate.
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