SENATE NOTES GOVT 9/23

The Senate

-100- 2 from each state

First senate session in 1789 had only 22 members

-Senators serve for 6 years—no max amount of years- one senator served 50 years

Senate is a CONTINUOS BODY-always changing, everyone’s term ends at different times

CONTINUENCIES-the people and interests the senators represent

**Usually a job you hold before presidency

Requirements: 30 years old, citizen of US for at least 9 years, must live in state where you’re elected

NH- DEMOCRAT- Jeanne Shaheen

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

535 members, average member is white male in early 50s

NH- Republican-Kelly Ayotte

Out of 535 members-in 2005- 42 African Americans, 24 Hispanics, 5 Asian Americans, ONE Native American in HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SENATE- one AfriAmer, 2 hispanics, one asian, one native hawaiin

Nearly all are married, 2 children average, 60% protestant, 30% roman catholic, 6% jewish, 4% no affiliation.

WHAT DO SENATORS ACTUALLY DO?

**They cast votes in each meeting of Congress

**Signing bills to designate things like National Wildflower Week