DISCUSS THE COMPOSITION AND ROLE OF SENATE IN USA
(1) Introduction To American Congress:-
American Congress is bicameral legislature and consists of Senate and House of Representatives: Senate is its upper house where as House of Representatives is its lower house. It is through consent of its both houses that legislation is done in United States of America.
(2) Organization Of American Senate:-
Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States of America. American Senate represents all those states, which are present in United States of America. As far as its organization is concerned, following points are important:(i) Membership
(ii) Qualifications of Senators
(iii) Presiding officers of Senate
(iv) Elections of Senators
(v) Term
(vi) Committee system
(i) Membership:-
Total members of American Senate are hundred. Out of these members, two members are elected from each state of United States of America.
(ii) Qualifications of Senators:-
According to American Constitution, a candidate Senator must possess following qualifications:
a) Age
b) American citizen
c) Resident of United States of America
d) Inhabitant of state of United States of America
a) Age:-
Minimum age for a candidate is thirty years.
b) American Citizen:-
A candidate must be citizen of United States of America.
c) Resident Of United States Of America:-
At the time of elections, candidate must have been resident of United Sates of Americas for at least previous nine years.
d) Inhabitant Of State Of United States Of America:-
At the time of elections, candidate must be inhabitant of that state from which he/she is contesting elections.
(iii) Presiding Officer of Senate:-
American Vice President and President pro tempore are presiding officers of American Senate.
(iv) Elections of Senators:-
According to American Constitution, two senators are elected from each state. Following points are important as far as elections of American Senators are concerned:
a) Direct elections
b) Elections of one third senators after every two years
c) Temporarily vacant seats in American Senate
a) Elections Through Direct Elections:-
American Senators are elected through direct elections. People of each state elect two senators for American Senate.
b) Elections Of One Third Senators After Every Two Years:-
There exists three-class system in American Senate. Through this system, American Senators are divided into three classes so that elections of one third of them can be held after
(v) Term:-
No-doubt elections of American Senate are held to elect one third members after every two years, but an American Senator is elected for a term of six years. In other words, term of an American Senate is six years.
(vi) Committee system:-
In American Senate, there exists committee system. Under this committee system, there are sixteen sub-committees and American Senate use these committees to fulfill different purposes and tasks.
(3) Functions Of American Senate:-
American Senate performs following main functions:(i) Legislation
(ii) Constitutional amendment
(iii) Election of Vice President
(iv) Election of President pro tempore of Senate
(v) Senators qualifications
(vi) Ratification of treaties
(vii) Confirmation of appointment of officials
(viii) Supervision of executive
(ix) Judicial powers
(x) Check and balance
(i) Legislation:-
According to American Constitution, bills can be introduced in any House of American Congress. However, Money-Bills are introduced only in House of Representatives. The reality is that all kinds of Bill are usually introduced in House of Representatives. After their approval from House of Representatives, they are presented into Senate and after their approval from Senate and president, they become laws.
(ii) Constitutional Amendment:-
American Senate, along with House of Representatives, can propose a constitutional amendment. After approval of such amendment through two third majority in Senate as well as in House of Representatives, such amendment can be submitted to legislatures of states.
(iii) Election Of American Vice President:-
It is American Senate, which decides election of American Vice-President particularly when no candidate gets an absolute majority of votes in the elections. In such situation, American Senate elects the one out of the two candidates, who have secured the highest votes.
(iv) Election Of President Pro Tempore Of Senate:-
Members of American Senate also elect President pro tempore (President for a time) and this President pro tempore is to preside over Senate in absence of President of Senate.
(v) Senators Qualifications:-
As far as Senators qualifications are concerned, it is stated that American Senate and not American judiciary is the sole judge of a senators qualifications. Members present in the Senate can vote through two third majority to exclude senator on the basis of disorderly behavior or some other grave reason.
(vi) Ratification Of Treaties:-
American Senate plays some prominent role as far as ratification of treaties is concerned. For ratification of a treaty, two third majority is needed in Senate. However, American President can get a treaty ratified through simple majority in House of Representatives.
(vii) Confirmation Of Appointment Of Officials:-
Confirmation of American Senate is necessary for appointment of officials like members of American Cabinet, heads of federal executive agencies, ambassadors, Justices of the Supreme Court, and other federal judges.
(viii) Supervision Of Executive:-
American Senate can make various committees to conduct investigation and make reports on administration of federal government. In this way, Senate not only controls, but also supervises executive of federal government.
(ix) Judicial Powers:-
American Senate possesses some judicial powers. It has power not only to initiate cases but has also power to conduct investigation and record evidence. Even it can impeach American President, American Vice-President and other high rank officials.
(x) Check and Balance:-
Confirmation of appointment of high rank officials ratification of treaties and judicial powers of American Senate reveal that American Senate plays an important role as far as check and balance are concerned.