How The U.S. Senate Gets Its Power: Join Federal Hall For The Discussion

Over the past few years, with major political battles ongoing in Washington, one question has remained on many American minds: Why is the U.S. Senate so disproportionately powerful?  

This question is the subject of the next installment for Federal Hall’s ”Debate Defends Democracy” series, the virtual discussions focused on constitutional issues.  

The event, called “Senate Power vs. the Majority,” will take place on March 16 at 5:30 p.m., and will be presented in partnership with the Brennan Center for Justice. 

Moderator John Avalon, a senior political analyst at CNN, will lead the discussion on how the U.S. Senate has been subverting the political will of a majority of Americans in favor of the desires of a shrinking minority, and blocking major legislation even when it has the support of a majority of voters. The debate will explore the framers’ intent for the Senate, the historical and political situations that have furthered the imbalance and more. 

The panel will include Norman Ornstein, an emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, among other participants to be announced later. Register for the free event here.