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U.S. Senate | ORGANIZATION

 

The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the lower house being the House of Representatives. The composition and powers of the Senate and the House are established in Article One of the Constitution (which does not use the terms "upper" and "lower"). Each U.S state is represented by two senators, regardless of population. This ensures equal representation of each state in the Senate. U.S. Senators serve staggered six-year terms. The chamber of the United States Senate is located in the north wing of the Capitol building, in Washington, D.C., the national capital. The House of Representatives convenes in the south wing of the same building.

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House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, right, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walk past the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, following their meeting with President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, right, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walk past the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, following their meeting with President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

AP 

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, right, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walk past the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, following their meeting with President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, right, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walk past the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, following their meeting with President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

AP 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right, looks on as  House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio speaks to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right, looks on as House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio speaks to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

AP 

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 20100, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 20100, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

AP 

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right, speak to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right, speak to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

AP 

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speak to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speak to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

AP 

President Barack Obama meets with bipartisan House and Senate leaders to discuss the economy and jobs, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, in the Cabinet Room of the White House,Washington. From left are, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calf. ; the president; and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev.

President Barack Obama meets with bipartisan House and Senate leaders to discuss the economy and jobs, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, in the Cabinet Room of the White House,Washington. From left are, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calf. ; the president; and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev.

AP 

President Barack Obama meets with bipartisan House and Senate  leaders to discuss the economy and jobs, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington. From left are, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md., House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., and the president.

President Barack Obama meets with bipartisan House and Senate leaders to discuss the economy and jobs, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington. From left are, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md., House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., and the president.

AP 

President Barack Obama meets with bipartisan House and Senate leaders to discuss the economy and jobs, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, in the Cabinet Room of the White House,Washington. From left are, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md.; House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calf. ; the president; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky.

President Barack Obama meets with bipartisan House and Senate leaders to discuss the economy and jobs, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, in the Cabinet Room of the White House,Washington. From left are, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md.; House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calf. ; the president; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky.

AP 

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, second from left,  listens to President Barack Obama, right, during a meeting of House and Senate bipartisan leaders to discuss the economy and jobs, Tuesday, Feb. 2010, in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Washington. From left are, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md., Boehner, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. and the president.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, second from left, listens to President Barack Obama, right, during a meeting of House and Senate bipartisan leaders to discuss the economy and jobs, Tuesday, Feb. 2010, in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Washington. From left are, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md., Boehner, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. and the president.

AP 

President Barack Obama meets with bipartisan House and Senate leaders to discuss the economy and jobs, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, in the Cabinet Room of the White House,Washington. From left are, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md.; House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calf. ; the president; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky.

President Barack Obama meets with bipartisan House and Senate leaders to discuss the economy and jobs, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, in the Cabinet Room of the White House,Washington. From left are, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md.; House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calf. ; the president; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky.

AP 

Vice President Joe Biden, far left, takes his seat in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, before the start of a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan House and Senate leaders to discuss the economy and jobs. From left are, Biden, House Minority Leader of John Boehner of Ohio, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., the president, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev.

Vice President Joe Biden, far left, takes his seat in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, before the start of a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan House and Senate leaders to discuss the economy and jobs. From left are, Biden, House Minority Leader of John Boehner of Ohio, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., the president, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev.

AP 

Sen. Arlen Specter, right, along with his wife Joan, addresses the Meeting of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee after being endorsed for the U.S. Senate seat at the Lancaster Host Resort and Convention Center, in Lancaster, Pa. on Saturday, February 6, 2010.

Sen. Arlen Specter, right, along with his wife Joan, addresses the Meeting of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee after being endorsed for the U.S. Senate seat at the Lancaster Host Resort and Convention Center, in Lancaster, Pa. on Saturday, February 6, 2010.

AP 

Sen. Arlen Specter, right, along with his wife Joan, addresses the Meeting of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee after being endorsed for the U.S. Senate seat at the Lancaster Host Resort and Convention Center, in Lancaster, Pa. on Saturday, February 6, 2010.

Sen. Arlen Specter, right, along with his wife Joan, addresses the Meeting of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee after being endorsed for the U.S. Senate seat at the Lancaster Host Resort and Convention Center, in Lancaster, Pa. on Saturday, February 6, 2010.

AP 

Sen. Arlen Specter, right, along with his wife Joan, addresses the Meeting of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee after being endorsed for the U.S. Senate seat at the Lancaster Host Resort and Convention Center, in Lancaster, PA on Saturday, February 6, 2010.

Sen. Arlen Specter, right, along with his wife Joan, addresses the Meeting of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee after being endorsed for the U.S. Senate seat at the Lancaster Host Resort and Convention Center, in Lancaster, PA on Saturday, February 6, 2010.

AP 

U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark., is applauded by his wife Cathy Boozman and other supporters in Little Rock, Ark., Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, after announcing he will seek the Republican nomination in the race for U.S. Senate.

U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark., is applauded by his wife Cathy Boozman and other supporters in Little Rock, Ark., Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, after announcing he will seek the Republican nomination in the race for U.S. Senate.

AP 

U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark., announces his intention  in Little Rock, Ark., Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, to seek the Republican nomination in the race for U.S. Senate.

U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark., announces his intention in Little Rock, Ark., Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, to seek the Republican nomination in the race for U.S. Senate.

AP 

Graphic shows timeline of ethnic minorities in the U.S. Senate.

Graphic shows timeline of ethnic minorities in the U.S. Senate.

AP 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 04:  U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) participates in a ceremonial swearing-in February 4, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Brown was sworn in as the newest member of the U.S. Senate after winning a special election for the seat that was held by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA).

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 04: U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) participates in a ceremonial swearing-in February 4, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Brown was sworn in as the newest member of the U.S. Senate after winning a special election for the seat that was held by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA).

Getty Images 

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 04:  U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) (L) shakes hands with Vice President Joseph Biden (R) as Brown's wife Gail Huff (C) looks on during a ceremonial swearing-in February 4, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Brown was sworn in as the newest member of the U.S. Senate after winning a special election for the seat that was held by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA).

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 04: U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) (L) shakes hands with Vice President Joseph Biden (R) as Brown's wife Gail Huff (C) looks on during a ceremonial swearing-in February 4, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Brown was sworn in as the newest member of the U.S. Senate after winning a special election for the seat that was held by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA).

Getty Images 

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House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, right, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walk past the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, following their meeting with President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, right, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walk past the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, following their meeting with President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

AP 

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, right, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walk past the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, following their meeting with President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, right, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walk past the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, following their meeting with President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

AP 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right, looks on as  House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio speaks to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right, looks on as House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio speaks to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

AP 

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 20100, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 20100, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

AP 

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right, speak to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right, speak to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, after a meeting between President Barack Obama and bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate to discuss the economy and jobs.

AP 

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