United States Senate
The United States Senate, along with the House of Representatives, is a part of the United States Congress. It is the nation's bicameral legislature and has exclusive powers that the House does not have. Here are some articles on the functioning of the Senate and everything else you need to know about it.
Senate Computer Network Hacked
Lulz Security, a loosely-affiliated network of highly skilled hackers, recently broke into the Senate computer network, demonstrating the network's vulnerability.
Congress Back to Bargaining Over the New Budget
Republicans, and even a number of Democrats, have commented with disgust how out of touch some politicians are with the over-arching need in the U.S. to cut budgets significantly.
Stopgap Budget Proposal Emerges to Delay Government Shutdown
A stopgap provision has been introduced that will allow the federal government to continue normal operations until March 18.
Senate Votes to Extend Some Provisions of Misguided Patriot Act
The U.S. Senate has voted to extend the unconstitutional Patriot Act for another 90 days as it tries to determine what provisions are still "necessary."
House Republicans Keep Cutting, But Congress Still Has Big Budget
House Republicans are cutting spending, but the cuts to the Congressional budget itself have been modest in comparison.
Senate Votes to Keep Filibuster, Votes Down Other Lame Stall Tactics
The new Congress made some small progress toward freeing some of the gridlock that inevitably paralyzes the legislature during every session.
Senate Votes Against Curbing Earmarks, Against Public Opinion
The Senate voted against a bill that would curb earmarks – irrelevant "pork" added to legitimate bills to help politicians curry favor at home – but the time is fast approaching when members of Congress will actually have to listen to the public on the issue.
Top Republican in Senate Aims to Stop Earmarks
Mitch McConnell has long supported earmarks, but has now changed course and says he is heeding the wishes of the American people.
GOP Now Controls House, Big Gains in Senate
After taking a majority control of the House of Representatives and gaining seats in the Senate, Republicans have gotten what they wished for.
Mid-term Elections Loom in U.S., Gains Expected for Republicans
Mid-term elections in the U.S. are just 10 weeks away, and many political analysts are offering insight into the moves that each party must make to gain or defend ground.
Harry Reid Says Final Vote on Banking Bill Will Occur Today
The Senate is expected to pass a major bank overhaul bill today, making broad changes in an industry that directly led to the current economic mess in the U.S.
Senate Vote Awaits Bank Overhaul Legislation After Passing House
A massive financial and banking overhaul bill passed the House of Representatives, and now need only pass the Senate to become law.
Massive Financial Reform Bill Passes Congress
The final negotiations on a landmark financial reform bill were completed yesterday and it is very likely that the most comprehensive piece of financial legislation since the 1930s will soon become law.
Record Number of Candidates Running for Congress in 2010
More than 2300 candidates are officially running for 471 contested seats in the U.S. Congress this November.
Senate Passes Financial Reform Bill
A controversial financial reform bill has passed the Senate and now must be reconciled with a House bill before reaching the desk of President Obama.
Senate Has Tentative Deal in Place for Future Bank Failures
Two senior members of the Senate have agreed on a compromise bill to fix what is broken on Wall Street.
GOP Blocks Financial Bill for Second Day, Offers Alternative
Republicans have blocked discussion of a financial overhaul bill for a second straight day, but in the process have suggested an alternative to what Democrats have offered.
More Bad News for Democrats: Senator Evan Bayh Retiring
Democrats are reeling after losses in key areas, but the announced retirement of an Indiana Senator is yet another blow.
Senator-elect Brown Demands to Be Sworn In
Senator-elect Scott Brown, who won a special election in Massachusetts last month, is demanding to be sworn into the U.S. Senate today, and it appears as though he will get his wish.
Coakley Resorts to Kennedy Appeal to Try to Win Senate Seat
Martha Coakley, once considered a lock to take the vacated Senate seat of Edward Kennedy in a state that hasn't elected a Republican senator in over 35 years, is feeling the heat and responding by invoking the name of Kennedy.
Baucus Recommends Girlfriend for Montana’s Top Legal Post
Senator Max Baucus nominated his girlfriend for the post of U.S. attorney of Montana prior to her eventual withdrawal and acceptance of a Justice Department position.
Kansas Congresswoman Backpedals from "Great White Hope" Remark
Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins is trying to distance herself from a bad choice of words of late, but it's clear that she meant nothing derogatory about the president in her comments.
Senate Judiciary Committee OKs Sotomayor for Supreme Court
Sonia Sotomayor was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday, but only one Republican voted for her.
U.S. Senate Votes to Give FDA Much More Power over Tobacco
After many efforts to stem smoking through FDA regulation have failed in the past, the Senate - in a 79-17 vote - passed a measure on Thursday to greatly increase FDA authority to limit the tobacco industry.
Specter’s Defection Has Dems Eyeing Filibuster-Proof Chamber
Senator Arlen Specter, who has served five terms as a Republican from Pennsylvania, switched parties on Tuesday, leaving the Democratic Party just one vote short of being immune to a Republican filibuster.
Chris Dodd Latest to Feel Heat in AIG Bonus Scandal
Senator Chris Dodd is scrambling to clarify his initial denial and later acknowledgment that he wrote the language dealing with bonuses in the bailout bill.
Congress Passes Historic Economic Bailout Plan
Congress today voted in favor of the re(re-) revised plan to rescue the American economy, and President Bush signed it.
Big Oil Required to Explain Itself to Congress
Big Oil company execs will be required to defend themselves in Tuesday's congressional hearing.
Former SNL Comic to Run as Senator?
Former Saturday Night Live veteran Al Franken returns to home state of Minnesota in hopes of joining the Senate race.
Senate Votes to Make English the National Language
While the Senate’s debate over immigration continues, two key votes have taken a step in the right direction by supporting calls for English to be the official national language of the United States.
Congressman Gary Condit: Connie Chung Gets Condit Interview
After months of speculation about his relationship with Chandra Levy, Congressman Gary Condit will speak publicly for the first time with Connie Chung.
James Jeffords: U.S. Senate Gets Ready for Power Shift
Unprecedented in U.S. history, the balance of power in the Senate shifts due to the defection of a senator from one of the major parties.
James Jeffords: Republican Senator to Leave GOP
In a move that would give control of an evenly divided Senate to Democrats, Vermont’s James Jeffords is reportedly leaving the GOP.
Lulz Security, a loosely-affiliated network of highly skilled hackers, recently broke into the Senate computer network, demonstrating the network's vulnerability.
Congress Back to Bargaining Over the New Budget
Republicans, and even a number of Democrats, have commented with disgust how out of touch some politicians are with the over-arching need in the U.S. to cut budgets significantly.
Stopgap Budget Proposal Emerges to Delay Government Shutdown
A stopgap provision has been introduced that will allow the federal government to continue normal operations until March 18.
Senate Votes to Extend Some Provisions of Misguided Patriot Act
The U.S. Senate has voted to extend the unconstitutional Patriot Act for another 90 days as it tries to determine what provisions are still "necessary."
House Republicans Keep Cutting, But Congress Still Has Big Budget
House Republicans are cutting spending, but the cuts to the Congressional budget itself have been modest in comparison.
Senate Votes to Keep Filibuster, Votes Down Other Lame Stall Tactics
The new Congress made some small progress toward freeing some of the gridlock that inevitably paralyzes the legislature during every session.
Senate Votes Against Curbing Earmarks, Against Public Opinion
The Senate voted against a bill that would curb earmarks – irrelevant "pork" added to legitimate bills to help politicians curry favor at home – but the time is fast approaching when members of Congress will actually have to listen to the public on the issue.
Top Republican in Senate Aims to Stop Earmarks
Mitch McConnell has long supported earmarks, but has now changed course and says he is heeding the wishes of the American people.
GOP Now Controls House, Big Gains in Senate
After taking a majority control of the House of Representatives and gaining seats in the Senate, Republicans have gotten what they wished for.
Mid-term Elections Loom in U.S., Gains Expected for Republicans
Mid-term elections in the U.S. are just 10 weeks away, and many political analysts are offering insight into the moves that each party must make to gain or defend ground.
Harry Reid Says Final Vote on Banking Bill Will Occur Today
The Senate is expected to pass a major bank overhaul bill today, making broad changes in an industry that directly led to the current economic mess in the U.S.
Senate Vote Awaits Bank Overhaul Legislation After Passing House
A massive financial and banking overhaul bill passed the House of Representatives, and now need only pass the Senate to become law.
Massive Financial Reform Bill Passes Congress
The final negotiations on a landmark financial reform bill were completed yesterday and it is very likely that the most comprehensive piece of financial legislation since the 1930s will soon become law.
Record Number of Candidates Running for Congress in 2010
More than 2300 candidates are officially running for 471 contested seats in the U.S. Congress this November.
Senate Passes Financial Reform Bill
A controversial financial reform bill has passed the Senate and now must be reconciled with a House bill before reaching the desk of President Obama.
Senate Has Tentative Deal in Place for Future Bank Failures
Two senior members of the Senate have agreed on a compromise bill to fix what is broken on Wall Street.
GOP Blocks Financial Bill for Second Day, Offers Alternative
Republicans have blocked discussion of a financial overhaul bill for a second straight day, but in the process have suggested an alternative to what Democrats have offered.
More Bad News for Democrats: Senator Evan Bayh Retiring
Democrats are reeling after losses in key areas, but the announced retirement of an Indiana Senator is yet another blow.
Senator-elect Brown Demands to Be Sworn In
Senator-elect Scott Brown, who won a special election in Massachusetts last month, is demanding to be sworn into the U.S. Senate today, and it appears as though he will get his wish.
Coakley Resorts to Kennedy Appeal to Try to Win Senate Seat
Martha Coakley, once considered a lock to take the vacated Senate seat of Edward Kennedy in a state that hasn't elected a Republican senator in over 35 years, is feeling the heat and responding by invoking the name of Kennedy.
Baucus Recommends Girlfriend for Montana’s Top Legal Post
Senator Max Baucus nominated his girlfriend for the post of U.S. attorney of Montana prior to her eventual withdrawal and acceptance of a Justice Department position.
Kansas Congresswoman Backpedals from "Great White Hope" Remark
Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins is trying to distance herself from a bad choice of words of late, but it's clear that she meant nothing derogatory about the president in her comments.
Senate Judiciary Committee OKs Sotomayor for Supreme Court
Sonia Sotomayor was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday, but only one Republican voted for her.
U.S. Senate Votes to Give FDA Much More Power over Tobacco
After many efforts to stem smoking through FDA regulation have failed in the past, the Senate - in a 79-17 vote - passed a measure on Thursday to greatly increase FDA authority to limit the tobacco industry.
Specter’s Defection Has Dems Eyeing Filibuster-Proof Chamber
Senator Arlen Specter, who has served five terms as a Republican from Pennsylvania, switched parties on Tuesday, leaving the Democratic Party just one vote short of being immune to a Republican filibuster.
Chris Dodd Latest to Feel Heat in AIG Bonus Scandal
Senator Chris Dodd is scrambling to clarify his initial denial and later acknowledgment that he wrote the language dealing with bonuses in the bailout bill.
Congress Passes Historic Economic Bailout Plan
Congress today voted in favor of the re(re-) revised plan to rescue the American economy, and President Bush signed it.
Big Oil Required to Explain Itself to Congress
Big Oil company execs will be required to defend themselves in Tuesday's congressional hearing.
Former SNL Comic to Run as Senator?
Former Saturday Night Live veteran Al Franken returns to home state of Minnesota in hopes of joining the Senate race.
Senate Votes to Make English the National Language
While the Senate’s debate over immigration continues, two key votes have taken a step in the right direction by supporting calls for English to be the official national language of the United States.
Congressman Gary Condit: Connie Chung Gets Condit Interview
After months of speculation about his relationship with Chandra Levy, Congressman Gary Condit will speak publicly for the first time with Connie Chung.
James Jeffords: U.S. Senate Gets Ready for Power Shift
Unprecedented in U.S. history, the balance of power in the Senate shifts due to the defection of a senator from one of the major parties.
James Jeffords: Republican Senator to Leave GOP
In a move that would give control of an evenly divided Senate to Democrats, Vermont’s James Jeffords is reportedly leaving the GOP.