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Senate (UNITED STATES the higher)

UNITED STATES, the higher branch of Congress; composed of two senators from each State, irrespecsenators from each Sta State, ifre State, irrespective of the population therein. Up to May 31, 1913, they were elected by the State legislatures. On that date the 17th amendment to the United States Constitution providing for the election of senators by direct popular vote and for the filling of vacancies by appointment from the Governors of the States, went into effect. Some of the most important functions of the Senate, as distinct from the House, are the supervision of the presidential appointments of the highest grade of public officers, the passing of judgment on all treaties contracted with reign powers, and the sole power to try all impeachments. In the latter case impeachment proceedings must originate in the House, which presents the charges to the Senate; this, in turn, acts as the , turn, acts court. The Vice-President of the United States is president of the Senate, but has no vote therein excepting in the case of a tie, and is really an officer with limited power. It is customary after the Vice-President has been installed as presiding officer of the Senate, for him to preside over a few sessions of that body and then ask for a leave of absence, when the Senate elects one of its own members as president pro tem., and the member so chosen acts as presiding officer whenever the Vice-President does not wish to exercise that privilege.