How many members are there in the U.S. Senate?

The United States Senate is composed of 100 members, with each state represented by two senators, regardless of the state's population. This structure was established by the framers of the Constitution to ensure equal representation for each state in the federal government. The two-senator rule helps maintain a balance between large and small states in legislative decisions. The total number of senators has remained at 100 since 1959 when Hawaii became the last state to join the Union. Understanding this is crucial for grasping how the legislative branch operates and how state interests are represented at the federal level.