The Washington State Senate
is the upper house
of the Washington State Legislature
. The body consists of 49 senators, each representing a district with a population of nearly 120,000. The State Senate meets at the Legislative Building
As with the lower House of Representatives
, state senators serve without term limits
, though senators serve four-year terms. Senators are elected from the same legislative districts as House members, with each district electing two representatives but only one senator.
Like other upper houses
and territorial legislatures and the federal U.S. Senate
, the state senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial
appointments to the state cabinet
, commissions and boards.
Leadership of the Senate
The Lieutenant Governor of Washington
serves as the President of the Senate
, but only casts a vote if required to break a tie. In his or her absence, the President Pro Tempore
presides over the Senate. The President Pro Tempore is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the entire Senate through a Senate Resolution. The President Pro Tempore is the chief leadership position in the Senate. The other Senate leaders, such as the majority
and minority leaders
are elected by their respective party caucuses.
The current President of the Senate is Brad Owen
. The current President Pro Tempore is Democrat Margarita Prentice
). The Majority Leader is Lisa J. Brown
) and the Minority Leader is Mike Hewitt... Read More