What is the United States Senate?
The Upper Chamber of Congress
The United States constitution established a bicameral congress, consisting of two bodies the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Senate consists of two representatives from each state for a total of 100 members. All members must be a minimum of 30 years old, hold citizenship for 9 years prior to election, and be a legal resident of the state they represent. Senators were chosen by state legislatures until the 17th Amendment was ratified in 1913 giving the power to elect senators to the people.
The senate's major powers are to hold impeachment trials, ratify treaties, and confirm the appointments of executive officers.
Representatives are elected to 6 year terms that are staggered so that only 1/3 of Senate Seats are up for election during any given year. On even-numbered years when there isn't a presidential election, an election is held for one-third of the Senate and the entire House.
Recently Kamala Harris resigned her seat after she was elected Vice President. Governor Gavin Newsom appointed California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to succeed her.
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator - California
Los Angeles
11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 915
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 914-7300
Fax: (310) 914-7318
Washington DC
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3841
Fax: (202) 228-3954
TTY/TDD: (202) 224-2501
At 87, Feinstein is the oldest sitting U.S. senator. She began her career working in city government in San Francisco in the 1960s. She later became Mayor of San Francisco in 1978 after the sitting Mayor at the time was assassinated. Feinstein began her carer in the United States Senate in 1992 when she won the special election to fill the Senate seat vacated a year earlier when the previous senator resigned. Feinstein has supported the Affordable Care Act, protection for immigrants, LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, common sense gun laws, and environmental protection policies. Recently, Senator Feinstein has faced criticism for her moderate positions and a growing concern that her age is hindering her ability to effectively fulfill her role.
Alex Padilla
United States Senator - California
Los Angeles
11845 West Olympic Blvd
Suite 1250W
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Phone coming soon
Fax coming soon
Washington, DC
Russell Senate Office Building
Suite B03
Washington, DC 20510
Phone (202) 224 – 3553
Fax (202) 224 – 2200
Senator Alex Padilla is the son of Mexican immigrants and is California's first Latino senator. After graduating from MIT, Alex was elected to the Los Angeles City Council as the youngest Council President in Los Angeles history. Alex was elected to the State Senate in 2006 to represent the more than 1.1 million people in the San Fernando Valley.
Alex was later sworn in as California’s first Latino Secretary of State in 2015. In December 2020 Alex was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to finish the term of now Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
How Our Senators Can Help You !
We elect our representatives so that they can serve as our advocates!
Senate offices are constantly working to advocate for you and are happy to take your questions and ideas. While they often cannot solve your problem immediately, they can help bring attention to the issue and expedite a solution.
Next Election
Dianne Feinstein's current term ends on January 3, 2025 (2024 election cycle). Alex Padilla was appointed by Gavin Newsom to replace now Vice-President Kamala Harris. His current term ends on January 3, 2023 (2022 election cycle).