Office explainer
What a U.S. Senator does
A senator represents an entire state in the upper chamber of Congress. Every state has two, no matter its population.
- Term length
- Six years, staggered so roughly a third of the Senate is elected every two years.
- How they're chosen
- Elected statewide by voters.
What the office can do
- Writes, amends, and votes on federal legislation.
- Confirms or rejects presidential nominees, including federal judges and cabinet officials.
- Ratifies treaties with a two-thirds vote.
- Conducts oversight and investigations through committees.
- Tries impeachments brought by the House.
What you can ask them for
- Casework: help with a federal agency such as Social Security, the VA, the IRS, or immigration services.
- Ask their recorded position or vote on a bill.
- Request a service academy nomination or a flag flown over the Capitol.
- Share your view before a vote by calling their state or D.C. office.
Background from the chamber's own explainer: senate.gov.