Question: how many seats are in the united states senate
Answer: ype Upper house of the United States Congress Term limits None History New session started January 3 , 2017 ( 2017 - 01 - 03 ) Leadership President of the Senate Mike Pence ( R ) Since January 20 , 2017 President pro tempore Orrin Hatch ( R ) Since January 6 , 2015 Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R ) Since January 3 , 2015 Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D ) Since January 3 , 2017 Majority Whip John Cornyn ( R ) Since January 3 , 2015 Minority Whip Dick Durbin ( D ) Since January 3 , 2015 Structure Seats 100 Political groups Majority ( 51 ) Republican ( 51 ) Minority ( 49 ) Democratic ( 47 ) Independents ( 2 ) caucusing with the Democrats Length of term 6 years Elections Voting system First - past - the - post ; nonpartisan blanket primary with a majoritarian second round in 3 states .