What role does the Vice President serve in the Senate?

The Vice President serves as the President of the Senate, which is a unique role that primarily involves presiding over the Senate sessions. This position allows the Vice President to maintain order during proceedings and to ensure that the rules of the Senate are followed. One of the significant powers of the Vice President in this role is the ability to cast a tie-breaking vote when the Senate is evenly split on a piece of legislation or a significant motion.

In addition to presiding over sessions, the Vice President may also engage in ceremonial duties and provide leadership when necessary, but their role is generally considered to be more ceremonial and less involved in the day-to-day legislative functions than that of a majority leader or a Senate whip. Understanding the electoral significance and the limited but impactful nature of this position helps clarify why the Vice President is termed the President of the Senate.