United States Constitution. The Senate of the United States shall be
composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature
thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
Immediately
after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election,
they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats
of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration
of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth
Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so
that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen
by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of
any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until
the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such
Vacancies.
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have
attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of
the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of
that State for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of
the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no
Vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse
their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence
of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President
of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole Power to
try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on
Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried,
the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted
without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
Judgment
in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from
Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor,
Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall
nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and
Punishment, according to Law.