- Six (6)
The Framers of the Constitution wanted senators to be independent from public opinion. They thought a fairly long, six-year term would give them this protection.
They also wanted longer Senate terms to balance the shorter two-year terms of the members of the House, who would more closely follow public opinion.
The Constitution puts no limit on the number of terms a senator may serve. Elections for U.S. senators take place on even-numbered years.
Every two years, one-third of the senators are up for election.
** As you prepare for U.S. citizenship, Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons will help you study for the civics and English portions of the naturalization interview. There are 100 civics (history and government) questions on the naturalization test. During your naturalization interview, you will be asked up to 10 questions from the list of 100 questions. You must answer correctly six (6) of the 10 questions to pass the civics test.