Which country in the world has the most powerful Second Chamber/Upper House (Senate)

 

The Senate of the United State of America is the only second chamber in the world that is more powerful than the lower house (House of Representatives). Its functions and powers proved that it is most powerful senate as compared to the senate of other Countries Like Pakistan, Canada and Philippine etc. 

In the Article of Original Constitution, James Madison (Founding father of US Constitution) had mentioned Senate first than the House of Representatives. 

How US Senate is Most Powerful? 

The following points clearly proved why and how The Senate of USA is the most Powerful in the world. 

Powers to Control Executive: 

It is the only legislative organ in the world that has direct executive powers. Senate controls the external policies of President by involving in internal administration. 

According to Article-II Section (2) a large number of governmental appointments including secretaries of departments, judges of the federal courts and diplomatic representatives are done with the consent of the Senate. 

Under the 12th amendment, the Senate has the power to elect Vice-President if no candidate gets a majority of votes.

 

Judicial powers: 

The Constitution has given the power of check and balance to the senate. In case of mismanagement senate has the power of impeachment of the governmental officials including the President, Vice President and Judges of the USA. 

That's why the US Senate is known as the court of impeachment. 

President Andrew Johnson (in1868), Bill Clinton (in 1998) and Donald Trump (in 2019 & 2021) have been targeted impeachment in the History of United State of America. 

Equal power for both houses in legislation: 

In theory and practice, the senate enjoys equal power of legislation with the house of representatives. But if look other countries like England and Pakistan, the second chamber has lesser power. 

A bill can be initiated in either house, in case of deadlock, a conference committee (Members from both houses in equal proportion) is subjected to settle the dispute. Senate has also power of decision making in the financial sphere. 

Large tenure and small membership: 

The US Senate consists of 100 members (2 members directly elected from each state) for the term of 6 years. 

In this way senators are relaxed and have no tension for elections but the members of house of representatives are worried for brief span of 2 years. 

The small size makes the senate a deliberate body. 

Seasoned leadership: 

Senators are seasoned politicians. Because of the talent and experience in their career they are given more importance. Also, public attention is on what is happening in the senate. That's why the decision made by the experienced senators are more appropriate than the members of the lower chamber. 

Freedom of speech and solidarity of US Senate: 

Due to freedom of speech the senators are enabled to carry on the full-length decision that is only experienced in the US Senate. 

Senators followed the principle of “LIVE AND LET-LIVE". Whenever an attack is made on the authority of the senate, it stands as one unit.

 

Its solidarity makes it the most powerful in the world. 

Conclusion: 

From all of the above discussion it is clear that the US Senate has all the power including in executive, legislature and Judiciary. All these points proved that it is the US Senate that is most powerful second chamber in the world.