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Senate rule XXXI governs the Senate process for considering the president's nominations. For most positions, the nomination is passed first to a Senate committee for review. Generally, it is the Senate committee with jurisdiction over the topic or department related to the position to be filled. [11] A public hearing by the committee is possible.
The Senate has exclusive power to confirm U.S. presidential appointments to high offices, and (by two-thirds supermajority to pass main motions) approve or reject treaties, and try cases of impeachment brought by the House. The Senate and the House provide a check and balance on the powers of the executive and judicial branches of government.
Additionally, Article One, Section 3, Clause 6 grants to the Senate the sole power to try federal impeachments and spells out the basic procedures for impeachment trials. Among the requirements is the stipulation that the Chief Justice of the United States is to preside over presidential impeachment trials.
Nevertheless, while the Senate cannot originate revenue and appropriation bills, it does retain the power to amend or reject them. A congressional act in 1974 established procedures to try to establish appropriate annual spending levels. [7] The Government Accountability Office is an important information-gathering agency for Congress.
In accordance of Rule XXV of the United States Senate, all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating primarily to the following subjects is referred to the Senate Rules Committee: Administration of the Senate Office Buildings and the Senate wing of the Capitol, including the assignment of office space;
Among the powers specifically given to Congress in Article I Section 8, are the following: 1. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
The Senate, or upper chamber, has 100 seats — two per state. Of these, 34 are up for election in 2024. Each senator serves a six-year term for their respective state.
A select committee is usually created by a resolution that outlines its duties and powers and the procedures for appointing members. Select and special committees are often investigative, rather than legislative, in nature though some select and special committees have the authority to draft and report legislation.