Short Version -- This is a summary of the important issues covered in this section of the U.S. Constitution.
- Each state has two senators.
- Each senator serves a six-year term.
- One-third of the Senate stands for election every two years.
- A senator must be at least 30 years old.
- A senator must have been a citizen at least nine years.
- A senator must live in the state he/she represents.
- The Vice President is president of the Senate and votes only to break a tie.
- The Senate elects a president pro tempore to preside in the Vice President's absence.
- The Senate tries all impeachment cases.
- Impeachment conviction requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate's members.
- When the President is on trial for impeachment, the Chief Justice presides.
- A person who is impeached and convicted is removed from office.
- A person who is impeached and convicted is forbidden to hold federal office.
- After A person who is impeached and convicted is removed from office, he or she can be prosecuted.
Long Version -- This is the text of the Actual U.S. Constitution.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes. The seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth year, and the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one third may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.
No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of President of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present.
Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States: but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.