The constitutional text

Article I · Section 3

Select any highlighted phrase to understand what it means.

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.

Source: National Constitution Center edition. Original wording is preserved; commentary explains historical and superseded provisions.

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You don’t have to understand everything at once. One connection is a good beginning.

LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER

Article I, Section 3, Clause 5

A Senate able to preside over itself

Current text
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

What it means

The Senate chooses its other officers and a president pro tempore to preside when the Vice President is absent or exercising presidential powers. “Pro tempore” describes service for the time being, not a separate elected executive office.

Historical setting

The provision anticipates that the Vice President cannot always chair the Senate. It gives the chamber an internal method of maintaining proceedings instead of depending on executive availability.

What it does

The Constitution establishes the office but does not dictate every modern practice concerning who occupies the chair each day. Senate rules and arrangements distribute practical presiding responsibilities within that framework.

Debate & interpretation

The balance is between a named constitutional presiding officer and the chamber’s control of its own business. The distinction also matters when other laws attach additional duties to the president pro tempore.

A common misreading

The president pro tempore is not automatically the Vice President or the national President whenever the Vice President misses a Senate session.

Think it through

What problems would arise if a legislative chamber could not conduct business while its usual presiding officer was elsewhere?

Follow the connection

Sources & further reading

Original Madison Center commentary. Explanations distinguish the text, historical context, and interpretive disagreements.

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