Senate of the Dominican Republic
The Senate of the Dominican Republic () is the upper legislative chamber in the bicameral legislature of the Dominican Republic, and together with the Chamber of Deputies makes up the Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Third Title, Chapter 1 in the First Section of the Dominican Constitution. Each province, and the Distrito Nacional, regardless of population, is represented by one senator who serves for a four-year term, with possibility of reelection. The Senate Chamber is located in the west wing of the Congress Palace, in Santo Domingo. The Chamber  of Deputies convenes in the east wing of the same building. The Senate has several advice and consent powers not granted to the Chamber of Deputies, including consenting to treaties, loans and contracts as a precondition to their ratification and consenting to or confirming appointments the members of Chamber of Accounts, Central Electoral Board and ambassadors. The Senate is widely considered both a more deliberative and more prestigious body than the Chamber of Deputies. Due to its smaller size and statewide constituencies, the Senate has historically had a more collegial and less partisan atmosphere. Membership. Qualifications. The constitution of the  Dominican Republic states that to be a senator, one must be a Dominican in full exercise of civil and political rights, have attained twenty-five years old, and be a native of the territorial demarcation that choose or have resided there for at least five consecutive years. In consequence: Election and Terms. The members of the Senate in Dominican Republic are elected by the D'Hondt method in relationship with the deputies. The terms for serving as senator are unlimited, one term corresponds to four years. Oath. The internal rules of procedure of the Senate requires that senators take an oath  or affirmation to support the Constitution. Congress has prescribed the following oath for all senators: The oath to be provided is: ""I SWEAR TO GOD, THE HOMELAND AND MY HONOR, RESPECT CONSTITUTION AND LAWS AND COMPLY WITH DIGNITY AND THE FAITHFULLY OTHER DUTIES OF MY OFFICE"," what will be answered as follows: ""IF I DO SO, GOD AND THE PEOPLE WHAT OS REWARD IF I NOT, THAT I DEMAND IT. "" Majority and minority parties. The "Majority party" is the political party that either has a majority of seats or can form a coalition or caucus with a majority of seats ; if two or more parties are tied, the vice president's affiliation determines which party is the majority party. The next-largest party is known as the minority party. Seating. The majority party or the party with more senators traditionally sits to the presiding officer's right, and the minority party or the party with less senator traditionally sits to the presiding officer's left, regardless which party has a majority of seats. Functions and Powers. The exclusive powers of the Senate are: Current composition (2020-2024). Senators elected in the July 2020 elections. This list contains the changes that  occurred after the election until 1 May 2021. Composition (2016-2020). Senators elected in the May 2016 elections. Party strengths in the Senate. The following table shows the composition of the Senate at the "start" of the most recent legislative periods.