The current Senate

In the first decade and a half of the 21st century, the Federal Senate continues to act in a way that strengthens democratic institutions and to enact laws of public concern. During this period, the Senate excelled in leading, in the National Congress, the revision and modernization of Brazilian codes. In 2002, the Brazilian New Civil Code was passed, anticipating a major shift to civil society in the country; and in 2014, the New Code of Civil Procedure was passed.

With the firmness that it takes into the execution of its institutional mission, the Senate has also led the transparency initiatives on public expenditures and the achievement of the fundamental objectives of the Brazilian public administration, inscribed in art. 37 of the Federal Constitution.

The Access to Information Act, regulated in 2012, has led the Federal Senate to implement several actions to comply with the new law: the creation of a new Transparency and Social Control Portal and the Secretariat of Transparency; the installation of the Transparency Council; and the regulation of the Act in the Federal Senate. Also, it was created the Standing Committee on Access to Documentation of the Federal Senate; the Citizen Information Service, in the Secretariat of Management of Information and Documentation; in addition to setting-up the information desk of the Citizen Information Service, in the Senate Library.