the.com/senate
a club where two people per state can stall the entire republic indefinitely.
means the upper chamber of a legislature, typically smaller and more deliberative than the lower house, whose members debate, revise, and approve laws.
from From Latin senatus, 'a council of elders,' built on senex, 'old man' — the same root that gives us 'senile' and 'senior.' The Romans literally meant a gathering of grey-haired men whose age was supposed to guarantee wisdom; the word traveled into English through Old French senat. So 'senate' has always promised the steadiness of elders — whether it delivers is another matter.
- name origin
- from Latin senex, meaning old man
- filibuster record
- one speech lasted over 24 straight hours
- tie breaker
- vice president votes only to break ties
- six years
- longest term in elected federal office
- original design
- senators picked by legislatures until 1913
united states senate — 100 senators (2 per state) in washington dc, established 1789
roman senate — 300+ patrician legislators in ancient rome, governed until 27 bce
canadian senate — 105 appointed members in ottawa, established 1867