Where can I watch the Senate live?

California State Senate video programming can also be viewed in the downtown Sacramento area through Comcast Cable’s Capitol Channels (Senate on channels 91 and 92, Assembly on 93 and 94).

How can I watch the Senate committee hearings?

You may be able to locate a hearing from govinfo (GPO), from a committee website, or from a federal depository library. A schedule of upcoming committee hearings can be found in the Daily Digest, on a committee’s website, or the Hearings & Meetings section of Senate.gov.

Are Senate hearings public?

A hearing is a meeting or session of a Senate, House, joint, or special committee of Congress, usually open to the public, to obtain information and opinions on proposed legislation, conduct an investigation, or evaluate/oversee the activities of a government department or the implementation of a Federal law.

What is a Senate confirmation hearing?

Each Senate committee holds confirmation hearings on presidential nominations to executive and judicial positions within its jurisdiction. These hearings often offer an opportunity for oversight into the activities of the nominee’s department or agency.

Are congressional hearings open to the public?

Most committee hearings and markup sessions are generally open to the public. In rare cases, usually to discuss national security issues, a committee will meet behind closed doors. The Senate’s meeting and hearing schedule is available at https://www.senate.gov/committees/hearings_meetings.htm.

What is meant by the power of the purse?

Congress—and in particular, the House of Representatives—is invested with the “power of the purse,” the ability to tax and spend public money for the national government.

How many times does a bill get voted on before it gets passed?

If the bill passes by simple majority (218 of 435), the bill moves to the Senate. In the Senate, the bill is assigned to another committee and, if released, debated and voted on. Again, a simple majority (51 of 100) passes the bill.