The New Jersey Senate is the powerful upper chamber of the state's legislature responsible for lawmaking, special investigations, and the approval of executive and judicial appointments. The President of the Senate is Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney, a Democrat who represents the 3rd Legislative District (Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland Counties). The Majority Leader of the New Jersey Senate is Senator Loretta Weinberg, also a Democrat who represents the 37th Legislative District (Bergen County).