Party leadership of the United States Senate

The party leadership of the United States Senate refers to the officials elected by the Senate Democratic Caucus and the Senate Republican Conference to manage the affairs of each party in the Senate. Each party is led by a floor leader who directs the legislative agenda of his caucus in the Senate, and who is augmented by an Assistant Leader or Whip, and several other officials who work together to manage the floor schedule of legislation, enforce party discipline; oversee efforts to elect new Senators, and maintain party unity.

The titular, non-partisan leaders of the Senate itself are the Vice President of the United States, who serves as President of the Senate, and the President pro tempore, the seniormost member of the majority, who theoretically presides in the absence of the Vice President.

Unlike committee chairmanships, leadership positions are not traditionally conferred on the basis of seniority, but are elected in closed-door caucuses.

Republican leadership

Since January 3, 2015, the Republican Party has constituted a majority in the United States Senate.

Position Name State Notes[1][2]
Floor Leader Mitch McConnell Kentucky The Senate Majority Leader, who serves as leader of the Senate Democratic Conference and manages the legislative business of the Senate
Assistant Floor Leader John Cornyn Texas The Senate Majority Whip, who manages votes and communicates with individual senators and ensures passage of bills relevant to the agenda and policy goals of the Senate Republican Conference
Republican Conference Chair John Thune South Dakota
Republican Policy Committee Chairman John Barrasso Wyoming
Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee Jerry Moran Kansas Responsible for overseeing efforts to elect Republicans to the Senate
Vice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference Roy Blunt Missouri
President pro tempore Orrin Hatch Utah The longest-serving Republican senator, not formally part of Republican leadership

Democratic leadership in the United States Senate

Since January 3, 2015, the Democratic Party has constituted a minority in the United States Senate.

Position Name State Notes[3][2]
Floor Leader Harry Reid Nevada Senate Minority Leader
Assistant Floor Leader Dick Durbin Illinois Senate Minority Whip
Vice Chairman of the Democratic Caucus Chuck Schumer New York Position created for Schumer after successful tenure as DSCC chairman
Senate Democratic Conference Secretary Patty Murray Washington Responsible for managing the policy agenda for the Senate Democratic Conference
Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Michael Bennet Colorado Responsible for overseeing efforts to elect Democrats to the Senate
Vice Chairwoman of the Democratic Policy Committee Debbie Stabenow Michigan Responsible for Senate Democrats' messaging and political strategy efforts
Chairman of the Steering and Outreach Committee Mark Begich Alaska Responsible for fostering relations between Senate Democrats and community leaders and interest groups
Chairman of Committee Outreach TBA Responsible for relations between Senate committees and the Senate Democratic Conference
Chief Deputy Whip Barbara Boxer California Assists the Whip in managing Democratic votes and communicating leadership strategy with Senate Democrats
President of the Senate Joe Biden (Delaware) Not a Senator; see Vice President of the United States

References

  1. ↑ Republican.Senate.Gov. Republican.Senate.Gov (2012-09-04). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 U.S. Senate: Senators Home > Senate Organization. Senate.gov (2013-05-31). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
  3. ↑ Leadership | Senate Democrats. Democrats.senate.gov (2013-01-18). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.