What United States Senate does
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the bicameral U.S. Congress. It legislates by considering and voting on bills, performs constitutional oversight of the executive branch, and conducts procedures such as hearings, committee investigations, and confirmations of certain presidential nominations. Senate.gov serves as the central public-facing platform for chamber operations and public access to leadership information, schedules, records, and procedural resources. The Senate also operates through a committee system where policy areas are handled by standing committees and subcommittees, which draft legislation and conduct oversight-related hearings. The Senate’s institutional operations are supported by constitutionally mandated officers (including the Vice President as President of the Senate and the President pro tempore) and senior elected/administrative officers such as the Secretary of the Senate and the Sergeant at Arms, plus party leadership and committee/office staff.