United States Senate

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.