<P> The Constitution provides for two officers to preside over the Senate . Article One , Section 3 , Clause 4 designates the Vice President of the United States as the President of the Senate . In this capacity , the vice president was expected to preside at regular sessions of the Senate , casting votes only to break ties . From John Adams in 1789 to Richard Nixon in the 1950s , presiding over the Senate was the chief function of vice presidents , who had an office in the Capitol , received their staff support and office expenses through the legislative appropriations , and rarely were invited to participate in cabinet meetings or other executive activities . In 1961 , Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson changed the vice presidency by moving his chief office from the Capitol to the White House , by directing his attention to executive functions , and by attending Senate sessions only at critical times when his vote , or ruling from the chair , might be necessary . Vice presidents since Johnson 's time have followed his example . </P>
<P> The Constitution provides for two officers to preside over the Senate . Article One , Section 3 , Clause 4 designates the Vice President of the United States as the President of the Senate . In this capacity , the vice president was expected to preside at regular sessions of the Senate , casting votes only to break ties . From John Adams in 1789 to Richard Nixon in the 1950s , presiding over the Senate was the chief function of vice presidents , who had an office in the Capitol , received their staff support and office expenses through the legislative appropriations , and rarely were invited to participate in cabinet meetings or other executive activities . In 1961 , Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson changed the vice presidency by moving his chief office from the Capitol to the White House , by directing his attention to executive functions , and by attending Senate sessions only at critical times when his vote , or ruling from the chair , might be necessary . Vice presidents since Johnson 's time have followed his example . </P>
when does the presiding officer of the senate vote
when does the presiding officer of the senate vote
to break ties
to break ties