Today, voters elect all members of Congress. But the Constitution originally provided that the people elect only the House members, usually called representatives. State legislatures chose the senators and were expected to select wealthy, distinguished men who would promote conservative policies. But Senate elections distracted the legislatures from other duties. In 1913, the 17th Amendment to the Constitution gave voters the right to choose senators.
Senators serve six-year terms.
About a third of all United States senators are chosen in the same year. There is no limit on the number of times a senator may be reelected. Salary and privileges. Senators are entitled to annual salary increases based on rises in the cost of living, but they may vote not to accept the increases. Each senator also gets an allowance to pay the salaries of his or her staff.