U.S. Senate

The United States Senate is one of two houses of the legislative branch of the federal government. It is the upper house and comprises the United States Congress along with the United States House of Representatives. The Senate is modeled after the ancient Roman Senate and the designation and allocation of senate's powers are outlined in the U.S. Constitution.http://topics.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articlei The first United States Senate was assembled in 1788.http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/The_First_Two_Senators_-_An_Odd_Couple.htm

The Senate has explicit powers which are not granted to the other half of Congress, namely the power of impeachment, treaty ratification and appointment of officials. In order to qualify for Senate, an individual must meet a set of qualifications. Every senator must be at least 30 years of age and a current resident of the state which they wish to represent. They must also be a United States citizen for at least nine years. Qualifications of senators are evaluated by the Senate itself and senators are selected by popular election.http://www.state.sc.us/scsec/qualifi.htm Senators serve for six year terms however, the election for and commencement of these terms is staggered 2 years so that there is never a Senate smaller than 75% of its intended size.http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html United States Senators are considered federal employees and receive an annual salary as well as health and retirement benefits from the U.S. Government.http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0510/052610e1.htm

1. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Appropriations Committee
2. Senate Armed Services Committee
3. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
4. Senate Budget Committee
5. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
6. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
7. Senate Environment and Public Work Committee
8. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
9. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
10. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
11. Senate Judiciary Committee
12. Senate Rules and Administration Committee
13. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
14. Senate Veterans' Affairs Committeehttp://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/committees/d_three_sections_with_teasers/committees_home.htm