Senate of Virginia
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The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. It is composed of 40 Senators and is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. Prior to Independence, the other part of government was represented by the Governor's Council, a upper house comprised of executive councillors appointed by the Governor as advisors.
The lieutenant governor, unlike the Vice President of the United States in the United States Senate, presides daily over the Virginia Senate. In the lieutenant governor's absence, a president pro tempore presides, usually a powerful member of the majority party. The Senate is coequal with the House of Delegates, the lower chamber of the legislature, except that taxation bills must originate in the House, just like in the U.S. Congress.
Virginia senators are elected every four years by the voters of the several senatorial districts on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in November. The next election will take place on 6 November 2007.
The Senate has its own coat of arms granted by the College of Arms in England.
The Seal of the Senate has a shield of armor in the center which is divided into four sections, representing the arms of four countries (England, France, Scotland, and Ireland) that contributed to Virginia's early history. The coats of arms, Queen Elizabeth, and the dragon (part of Elizabethan royal seal of England) represent Virginia's heritage. The ivory gavel represents the Senate as a law making body. The cardinal and dogwood depict are two of our state emblems. The ribbon contains the Latin motto of the Senate, which means "May the Senate of Virginia flourish."[1]
Contents |
[edit] Make-up of the Senate of Virginia
| Affiliation | Members |
|
| Republican Party | 23 | |
| Democratic Party | 17 | |
| Total |
40 | |
| Majority |
6 | |
[edit] Senate Leadership
- President Pro Tem: John Chichester
- Majority Leader: Walter Stosch
- Majority Floor Leader: Tommy Norment
- Democratic Leader: Dick Saslaw
