"The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided."
Comment: Article I of the Constitution creates the office of Vice President and assigns to it two legislative functions: to preside over the Senate and to vote in the Senate in case of ties. George Mason argued that allowing this violated the separation of powers structure of the constitution. However, Roger Sherman replied: "If the Vice President were not to be President of the Senate, he would be without employment."
Allowing the Vice President to (1) preside over the Senate and (2) vote in the Senate in case of ties - solved to issues. First, a definitive resolution would always be reached. Second, the representation of the states would remain equal; otherwise, if a Senator were to be chosen, then that State's representation would be increased.
Although the Constitution specifies that the Vice President “shall be President of the Senate,” it is silent regarding what that indeed entails. Early on, the Vice Presidents took their role seriously; however, today, under the rules and precedents of the Senate, presiding over the Senate involves simply recognizing Senators to speak in debate, maintaining order in the Senate, occasionally ruling on a question of parliamentary procedure, administering the oath of office to Senators, and making an appointment to a legislative entity based on the advice of party leaders. To that end, the Vice President rarely presides over the Senate.
Regarding casting tie-breaking votes, it can have great impact over the country where the Senators are evenly split. John Adams cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate 29 times. Richard B. Cheney cast tie-breaking votes 8 times and effectively gave a majority to the Republicans. There have been over 200 tie-breaking votes, with most of them occurring early in the republic's history.
Primary Source. The Heritage Guide to the Constitution.
Comment: Article I of the Constitution creates the office of Vice President and assigns to it two legislative functions: to preside over the Senate and to vote in the Senate in case of ties. George Mason argued that allowing this violated the separation of powers structure of the constitution. However, Roger Sherman replied: "If the Vice President were not to be President of the Senate, he would be without employment."
Allowing the Vice President to (1) preside over the Senate and (2) vote in the Senate in case of ties - solved to issues. First, a definitive resolution would always be reached. Second, the representation of the states would remain equal; otherwise, if a Senator were to be chosen, then that State's representation would be increased.
Although the Constitution specifies that the Vice President “shall be President of the Senate,” it is silent regarding what that indeed entails. Early on, the Vice Presidents took their role seriously; however, today, under the rules and precedents of the Senate, presiding over the Senate involves simply recognizing Senators to speak in debate, maintaining order in the Senate, occasionally ruling on a question of parliamentary procedure, administering the oath of office to Senators, and making an appointment to a legislative entity based on the advice of party leaders. To that end, the Vice President rarely presides over the Senate.
Regarding casting tie-breaking votes, it can have great impact over the country where the Senators are evenly split. John Adams cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate 29 times. Richard B. Cheney cast tie-breaking votes 8 times and effectively gave a majority to the Republicans. There have been over 200 tie-breaking votes, with most of them occurring early in the republic's history.
Primary Source. The Heritage Guide to the Constitution.
