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Question: What are the requirements to become a member of the U.S. Senate?

Answer: The requirements for becoming a United States Senator are defined precisely in the United States Constitution. The provisions related to the Senate are found in Article 1, Section 3.

Here they are: 1) you must be at least 30 years old, 2) you must be a citizen of the United States for at least nine years, and 3) you must be a citizen of the state for which you are running as a candidate for the senate. (US Const, Art 1, Sec 3, Cl 3)

In case you're wondering about the House of Representatives, the requirements are similar. You must be at least 25 years old instead of 30 and have been a citizen for seven years instead of nine. (US Const, Art 1, Sec 2, Cl 2)

To learn more about the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, visit the LawForKids.org LawDocs section...
Comments
1 thru 5 of 51 comments
On 04/20/09
Megan from PA said:
i am in the last year of middle school and its hard to remember all of the complicated terms and numbers for everything! thanks so much for making it easier!
On 10/20/08
Abby from VA said:
What is the right answer?How old does a representative have to be 25 or 30 years old and how many years 7 or 9?
On 04/13/08
Derick from MN said:
Don't you think it odd that there is no education requirement to run for sentate? Or is there only it is an implied requirement not an expressed one?
On 03/17/08
Frank from MA said:
I thought I would check requirements to run doesn't seem like the politians there are doing thier JOB !!!!
On 02/26/08
dana from WI said:

actually this is the senate not the house of represenatives you have to live in the us for 7 years and be at least 25 years or older.
1 thru 5 of 51 comments


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