Why are there 2 senators for each state?

Answer 1

to represent each state

Answer 2

This number is specified by the US Constitution. The idea is to give each state equal representation in the Senate whereas the House representation is based on population within the states. Having two senators allows for more diversity in views and allows the two senators to be elected in different years, thereby allowing more flexibility in face of changing times. ( I do not know if allowing three senators per state was considered. )

Answer 3

The Constitution of the United States provides for a bicameral legislative body to ensure an equality of representation among the states. If there was just a single legislative body, in the interest of freedom and sovereignty of the states that legislative body would be elected according to population and a state with more people than another will elect more representative to the Congress. This gave the smaller states a reasonable concern and during the Constitutional Convention where the Constitution was written, there were many suggestions as to how to appease the smaller states but it was ultimately the "great compromise" also known as the Connecticut compromise where an agreement was reached and the bicameral legislative bodies of both the House of Representatives and Senators became what is now called Congress.

Answer 4

It's in the Constitution.

Article I, Section 3:

"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote."

Answer 5

It was done to ensure equal representation regardless of the population of an individual state (the Senate) while recognizing the difference in numbers of citizens from state to state (the House of Representatives). It's another form of the checks and balances within the Constitution.

It was also a practical compromise when the Constitution was drafted in the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia. The more populous states thought they contributed more to the treasury and deserved a proportionate share of power. The small states were afraid of having a small voice in the legislature to come. The solution of a Senate and a House was known as the Connecticut Compromise, proposed by two delegates from Connecticut.

Answer 6

It is a part of the Big State / Little State balance of poweres.

Answer 7

The Founding Fathers saw this as a method of balancing out the power of large states with small states. In the US Senate each state is equal in its voting power.

Answer 8

Article I of the US Constitution provides that each state shall have two senators regardless of the size or population of the state.