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In 1787, the US Constitution and its Founding Fathers, created the structure and power division of an institution called the Constitutional Convention, based on the idea of a Congress made up of two houses, with different influences and numbers.Those first reunions made it possible to decide the basis of representation, senators per states, qualifications and similar features that continue until today.

It doesn't mean that there haven't been frustrated attempts to modernize the Senate throughout the years. As time has passed, different parties have emerged and fell, always having that two-sided-coin of congress where federalists and democratic republicans would battle and, even later, it would continue with the Whigs and the Democrats, and finally with the Republicans against the Democrats; sharing the leadership of the Senate.

https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/senate-and-constitution.htm

https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/electing-appointing-senators.htm

https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/committee-system.htm

https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/idea-of-the-senate.htm

https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/parties-leadership.htm

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On April 2nd 1946, James Murray (Canada 1876 - Montana 1961), Montana Democrat, called his Committee on Education and Labor for the first audience on “comprehensive” national health insurance. Murray, a resident of Butte (Montana), had realized in the 1920s the manipulative practices of the Anaconda Copper Company. As a result, he became a New Deal advocate for small farmers, organized labor and other victims of big business.

Leader Murray’s 1946 Bill aimed at $50 million to finance programs of low-income health insurance for Americans, for maternal and child care and for medical research and education subsidies. He started his April 2ndl audience by citing an editorial that warned against applying the term “communistic” to full employment, veterans’ housing, and health insurance programs.

Taft’s promise, opposition by the AMA and Republican gains in Congress paused the health care legislation for another 18 years. Only in 1964, after Democrats had obtained a significant majority, Congress was able to approve “Medicare”.

Health Care Clash. (United States Senate). https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Health_Care_Clash.htm

Senator Murray nomination to Labor Hall of Honour. (Bill Farley). https://billfarley.net/2015/09/. 2015

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John Fitzgerald Kennedy a.k.a. JFK was born May, 29th 1917 in Massachusetts. Just before eventually becoming the president number 35 of the United States. In early 1961, he served in the House of Representatives and in the U.S. Senate. Kennedy reached national importance as a junior senator from Massachusetts as he served on the Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in the Labor and Management Field, which maintained public hearings to investigate corruption in American labor unions.

JFK never lost an election. His first opportunity came in 1946, when he ran for Congress. Although still weak from his war injuries, he campaigned aggressively, bypassing the Democratic organization in the Massachusetts 11th congressional district and depending instead upon his family, college friends, and his friend navy officers. In the Democratic primary he received almost double the votes of his opponent; at age 29. He died Nov, 27 1963.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/john-f-kennedy/

https://www.senate.gov/senators/FeaturedBios/Featured_Bio_KennedyJohnF.htm

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Here we can see the figures of two of the most important spearheaders of the Senate's history. Even against all adversity, their popularity, be it for the right or wrong reasons never wavered and they stood to their beliefs to the end. For their people, for their country.

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The Senate and House of Representatives compose the United States Congress, which is the legislative branch or the US government and is established in The Capitol in Washington D.C. The legislative branch “makes all laws, declares war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce and controls taxing and spending policies”.

The Senate especially was created to be the counterpoise to the House of Representatives and to moderate the executive power of the President.

In Congress, there are two senators from each state, with 100 senators serving in Congress.

A senator must be at the minimum 30 years old, a US citizen for no less than nine years and obviously, a resident of the state he/she represents.

At the moment, the Senate has three important and specific tasks. Senators conduct impeachment proceedings of federal officials, advise on treaties and play an important role in the confirmation/denial of specific nominations.

U.S. Senate by The Policy Circle https://www.thepolicycircle.org/brief/makes-america-exceptional-u-s-senate-explained/

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Censure and expulsion: Article 1, section 5 of the US Constitution, denotes that the senate may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members and with a 2/3 consensus, expel a member.

Declarations of War: The Constitution grants the Congress the sole power to declare War by means of agreeing resolutions authorizing the use of military force.

Impeachment: US Constitution provides that the senate by Article 1, section 2, has the sole power of Impeachment but no civil officers of the US are subject to it, without the concurrence of  2/3 of the members present.

Investigations: The authority of congress to investigate is an implied constitutional power.

https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures.htm

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Nominations: The president must nominate and appoint every USA Officers as stated in the Constitution

Senate Rules: The Constitution is an ensemble of rules which determine how the debates will be structured and how members will vote for the Senate committees' structure.

Treaties: A formal written agreement made by the executive branch which must be approved by the Senate. Some treaties have been rejected while others have dissipated in the courtroom itself.

Voting: Every move made by the Senate (such as motions, resolutions or treaties) must be voted for.

Checks and balances is a system which limits the powers of each branch in order to avoid the accumulation of power in one single department. The power is divided in the legislative, executive and judicial branches, which have their own tasks and duties (as can be seen in the picture).

Powers and Procedures (United States Senate). https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures.htm

Checks and Balances (Investopedia). https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/checks-and-balances.asp

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To sum up in a better way, here we come with a infographic which could be of your interest.

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Infographic about the powers & functions in the Senate

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Infographic about the powers & functions in the Senate

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In 1858, Senator James Pearce asked engineer Montgomery Meigs to provide some bathing tubs. At the time, most senators were living in houses where bathing facilities were primitive.

These baths became a place to relax, socialize and prepare for a major speech. That’s why the Evening Star said: “write the speech, commit it to memory, take a bath, and then deliver it!”

Once, a House member made a mistake. He made an offer to a lady visitor and asked her: “Won’t you go down and take a bath?” Indignant, the woman ran away.

By the 1890’s, most senator homes had modernized the plumbing and the Senate bath fell into disuse. Finally, four bathtubs were removed and two that still remained were buried behind the walls and mechanical equipment. That means the two tubs were forgotten- until 1936, when workers excavated the place and found the tubs.

https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Mystery_of_the_Senate_Bath_Tubs.htm

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Generational moods, Generational Breaks! (T.3)

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Generational moods, Generational Breaks! (T.3)

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In the 70s, the greatest dilemma took place: “When to have our break?” Senators hadn’t had such an important decision since the end of WWII. The Senate was completely divided into two guerrilla groups: Elder Senators vs new-generation Senators.

The first team agreed to continue the traditional break system: Coming to Washington in January and ending business by summer, to then return home. Against them, younger Senators had a proposition for a 6-week summer recess so they could spend time with family.

These endless battles came to an actual end in 1969 when the young blood triumphed over the Mummies of the Senators, and a recess was set from August 13 to September 4 as a first trial, later officialized on August 1971. All thanks to the efforts of the Young Senators´ Face, McGee, and his wish of freedom.

U.S. Senate: Give Us a (Summer) Break!

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James Strum Thurmond was a proud senator and former American soldier who was first elected in 1932, known for his drive to do what was right and his fight to give people of all races equal rights. He eventually became part of the Republican party and even took up the mantle of president pro tempore at a time.

However, he is more well known for his iconic stubbornness… such as being the first senator to reach the staggering age of 100 years old while serving at office, the fact that he refused to leave the position of South Carolina senator for more than three decades and his ever-infamous 24 hour long speech, the filibuster for the 1957 Civil Rights Act.

https://www.senate.gov/senators/FeaturedBios/Featured_Bio_Thurmond.htm

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Thurmond: A walking meme or a legend? (T.3)

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Thurmond: A walking meme or a legend? (T.3)

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Who would say a proud senator such as Thurmond could have been a source of memes for us..?

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Verde Neón Morado Informal Profesional Aplicación Mensajería Mapa Mental