Who serves as the President of the Senate and votes only in case of a tie?

The Vice President of the United States serves as the President of the Senate and has a specific role in the legislative process, primarily voting only in the event of a tie. This constitutional responsibility is outlined in Article I, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which states that the Vice President shall be the President of the Senate but shall have no vote unless the Senate is equally divided.

This role is significant because it ensures that the Vice President can play a crucial part in breaking legislative deadlocks, thus facilitating the passage of legislation. The Vice President's authority in this context is limited to casting tie-breaking votes, which underscores the function of the Senate as a deliberative body where decision-making ideally reflects the majority rather than yielding to ties.

Understanding the position of the Vice President in relation to the Senate helps clarify the legislative process and the dynamics of power within the federal government.