United States Senate

The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress. The United States Senate and the lower chamber of Congress, the United States House of Representatives, comprise the federal bicameral legislature of the United States. Together, the Senate and the House have the authority under Article One of the U.S. Constitution to pass or defeat federal legislation. The Senate has exclusive power to confirm U.S. presidential appointments to high offices, 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.

Some of the key events about United States Senate

1789
Established as the upper chamber of the United States Congress
1850
Passed the Fugitive Slave Act, requiring citizens to assist in the capture of runaway slaves
1861
Passed legislation to fund and support the Union during the Civil War
1876
Refused to seat the first African American elected to the Senate
1913
Ratified the 17th Amendment, allowing for direct election of senators by popular vote
1919
Failed to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, keeping the U.S. out of the League of Nations
1920
Approved the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote
1920
Rejected U.S. membership in the World Court
1935
Passed the Social Security Act, creating a national old-age pension system
1950
Allowed Senator Joseph McCarthy to conduct controversial anti-communist investigations
1964
Passed the Civil Rights Act, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin
1964
Filibustered the Civil Rights Act for 60 working days
1965
Enacted the Voting Rights Act to protect minority voting rights
1969
Ratified the 26th Amendment, lowering the voting age to 18
1972
Initially failed to pass the Equal Rights Amendment
1990
Passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities
1999
Acquitted President Clinton in impeachment trial despite evidence of perjury
2010
Passed the Affordable Care Act, expanding healthcare coverage for millions of Americans
2013
Failed to pass expanded background checks for gun purchases despite 90% public support
2016
Refused to hold hearings for a Supreme Court nominee, leaving the seat vacant for over a year

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.