What is it called when the Senate meets?

What is it called when the Senate meets?

Every two years the Senate convenes a new “congress,” a two-year period of legislative business. Joint Session: When the Senate and the House meet together to conduct formal business, to hear an address by the president, or to count electoral ballots, it is known as a joint session.

Who can call Senate session?

The President has the power, under Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, to call a special session of the Congress during the current adjournment, in which the Congress now stands adjourned until January 2, 1948, unless in the meantime the President pro tempore of the Senate, the Speaker, and the majority leaders …

Where do Senators have meetings?

The United States Senate Chamber is a room in the north wing of the United States Capitol that has served as the legislative chamber of the United States Senate, since January 4, 1859.

What is the name of the room where Congress meets?

The most recognized symbol of democratic government in the world, the United States Capitol has housed Congress since 1800. The Capitol is where Congress meets to write the laws of our nation, and where presidents are inaugurated and deliver their annual State of the Union messages.

What is a formal meeting of Congress called?

The annual series of meetings of a Congress is called a session. Each Congress generally has two sessions, based on the constitutional mandate that Congress assemble at least once a year. In addition, a meeting of one or both houses is a session.

What does it mean when Congress is in session?

The annual series of meetings of a Congress is called a session. In addition, a meeting of one or both houses is a session. And the Senate and House of Representatives is said to be in session on any particular day when it is meeting.

What is an elected official already in office called?

Some official positions may be inherited. A person who currently holds an office is referred to as an incumbent.

How often do senators meet?

Each Congress generally has two sessions, based on the constitutional mandate that Congress assemble at least once a year. In addition, a meeting of one or both houses is a session. And the Senate and House of Representatives is said to be in session on any particular day when it is meeting.

How many senators represent each state in the Senate?

Each state is equally represented by two senators who serve staggered terms of six years. There are currently 100 senators representing the 50 states. The vice president of the United States serves as presiding officer and president of the Senate by virtue of that office, and has a vote only if the senators are equally divided.

Is the Senate considered the upper chamber of Congress?

The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, which along with the United States House of Representatives—the lower chamber—comprises the legislature of the United States. The composition and powers of the Senate are established by Article One of the United States Constitution.

Who is the presiding officer of the United States Senate?

United States Senate. The presiding officer of the Senate is the vice president of the United States, who is president of the Senate. In the vice president’s absence, the president pro tempore, who is customarily the senior member of the party holding a majority of seats, presides over the Senate.

What are the qualifications to be a member of the Senate?

History of the United States Senate. Article I, Section 3, of the Constitution, sets three qualifications for senators: (1) they must be at least 30 years old; (2) they must have been citizens of the United States for the past nine years or longer; and (3) they must be inhabitants of the states they seek to represent at the time of their election.