What does a senator do?
A U.S. senator writes and votes on federal law for a whole state. Senators also review presidential nominations, consider treaties, and hold impeachment trials.
This guide covers U.S. senators, not state senators. The Senate’s powers and procedures guide at senate.gov is the source of record.
Write laws and check the government
Senators introduce bills, work on committees, propose amendments, and debate legislation. They vote on issues such as taxes, health care, defense, and federal spending. A bill must pass both the Senate and the House in identical form before it goes to the president.
Senators also hold hearings and investigate how federal agencies use their authority and spend public money. This oversight work helps Congress check the executive branch.
Three powers only the Senate has
The Senate shares lawmaking with the House. The Constitution gives the Senate these separate roles.
Confirmations
The president nominates federal judges, Cabinet members, ambassadors, and other officers whose appointments require Senate approval. Senators review those nominees and vote to confirm or reject them. The Senate’s nominations guide explains this advice and consent role.
Treaties
The president negotiates treaties with other countries. The Senate gives advice and consent to ratification when two-thirds of the senators present agree. The Senate does not itself ratify treaties. The Senate’s treaties guide explains the distinction and why executive agreements follow a different process.
Impeachment trials
The House impeaches a federal official by approving charges. The Senate then holds the trial. Conviction requires two-thirds of the senators present and removes the official from office. Impeachment alone does not remove someone. Read the Senate’s impeachment guide for the process.
How is the Senate different from the House?
Each state has two senators, who represent the whole state and serve six-year terms. House representatives serve two-year terms and represent districts. House seats depend on state population. Both chambers must pass a bill, but the House does not confirm nominees, consent to treaties, or hold impeachment trials.
The Senate membership guide explains the 100 seats and staggered elections. The House membership guide explains districts and seats.
See how your two senators vote
If you live in a state, both U.S. senators represent you. D.C. and U.S. territories have no U.S. senators. The representative vote guide shows how to check official roll-call records.