The Senate
Membership
The Senate consists of 100 members - two from every state. Elections are held every two years for one-third of the Senate; the remainder adhere to a six-year term. Dead or resigned senators may be replaced by a government appointment or a special election.
Leadership
The Constitution defines the leader of the Senate to be the Vice President. But, when Veep is away doing his thing with the president, the president pro tempore presides over the whole deal. This guy is elected by his senate. The most important officers in the Senate, however, are the ones who get things done - majority and minority floor leaders are the ones who push bills through the process.
Qualifications
Senators must be at least 20 years old, citizens of the United States for nine years preceding election, and legal residents of the state they represent.
Salary and Benefits
Members of the House and Senate have the privilege of setting their own salaries. According to the 27th Amendment, however, self-applied pay raises do now apply to a Congress until after the next election. Currently (2015), the salary of Congress is $174,000 a year. In addition, members also receive stationary, postage for official business, a medical clinic, and a gymnasium. Those guys don'wouldn't be able to fillibuster like they do if they skipped leg day. Members receive large allowances to pay for staff and assistants, and some receive a pension of $150,000 yearly following retirement. Needless to say, they get stacks.