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| − | This page focuses on the positions which comprise the leadership of the [[U.S. Senate]]. | + | This page focuses on the positions which comprise the leadership of the [[U.S. Senate]]. |
| − | == Current Senate Leadership | + | ==Current Senate Leadership== |
| − | + | ===Democratic Leadership=== | |
| − | === Democratic Leadership | + | The Senate [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] caucus selected the following members to serve as their leadership in the 111th Congress: |
| − | + | {| class="wikitable" | |
| − | The Senate [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] caucus selected the following members to serve as their leadership in the 111th Congress: | + | !Position |
| − | + | !Member | |
| − | {| class=" | + | |
|- | |- | ||
| − | + | |President of the Senate | |
| − | + | |[[Joe Biden]] (Vice President of the United States) | |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Majority Leader<br>Chairman of Democratic Caucus | + | |Majority Leader<br>Chairman of Democratic Caucus |
| − | | [[Harry Reid]] (Nev.) | + | |[[Harry Reid]] (Nev.) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Majority Whip | + | |Majority Whip |
| − | | [[Dick Durbin]] (Ill.) | + | |[[Dick Durbin]] (Ill.) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Vice-chair of Democratic Caucus | + | |Vice-chair of Democratic Caucus |
| − | | [[Charles Schumer]] (N.Y) | + | |[[Charles Schumer]] (N.Y) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Chairman of DSCC | + | |Chairman of DSCC |
| − | | [[Robert Menendez]] (N.J.) | + | |[[Robert Menendez]] (N.J.) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Conference secretary | + | |Conference secretary |
| − | | [[Patty Murray]] (Wash.) | + | |[[Patty Murray]] (Wash.) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Chair of the steering committee | + | |Chair of the steering committee |
| − | | [[Debbie Stabenow]] (Mich.) | + | |[[Debbie Stabenow]] (Mich.) |
|} | |} | ||
| − | === Republican Leadership | + | ===Republican Leadership=== |
| + | The Senate [[Republican Party|Republican]] caucus selected the following members to serve as their leadership in the 111th Congress: | ||
| − | + | {| class="wikitable" | |
| − | + | !Position | |
| + | !Member | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | + | |Minority Leader | |
| − | + | |[[Mitch McConnell]] (Ky.) | |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Minority | + | |Minority Whip |
| − | | [[ | + | |[[Jon Kyl]] (Ariz.) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | |Conference Chair |
| − | | [[ | + | |[[Lamar Alexander]] (Tenn.) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Conference Chair | + | |Conference Vice-Chair |
| − | | [[ | + | |[[John Thune]] (S.D.) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | |Policy Committee Chairman |
| − | | | + | |TBD |
|- | |- | ||
| − | + | |Chairman of the NRSC | |
| − | + | |[[John Cornyn]] (Texas) | |
| − | + | ||
| − | | Chairman of the NRSC | + | |
| − | | [[John Cornyn]] (Texas) | + | |
|} | |} | ||
| − | == Senate Majority Leader | + | ==Senate Majority Leader== |
| − | The '''Senate Majority Leader''' is the highest ranking member of the majority party in the [[U.S. Senate]]. A senator is elected to the post at the beginning of each Congress by members of his/her respective party conference. The Majority Leader is responsible for representing the interests of the majority party on the Senate floor, and also for speaking on behalf of the Senate as an institution. In addition, the leader works with committee leaders and ranking members, schedules business on the floor by calling bills from the calendar, and keeps members of his party advised about the daily legislative program. In consultation with the Minority Leader, the leader also advocates "unanimous consent" agreements by which the Senate limits the amount of time for debate and divides that time between the parties. [http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Majority_Minority_Leaders.htm] | + | The '''Senate Majority Leader''' is the highest ranking member of the majority party in the [[U.S. Senate]]. A senator is elected to the post at the beginning of each Congress by members of his/her respective party conference. The Majority Leader is responsible for representing the interests of the majority party on the Senate floor, and also for speaking on behalf of the Senate as an institution. In addition, the leader works with committee leaders and ranking members, schedules business on the floor by calling bills from the calendar, and keeps members of his party advised about the daily legislative program. In consultation with the Minority Leader, the leader also advocates "unanimous consent" agreements by which the Senate limits the amount of time for debate and divides that time between the parties. [http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Majority_Minority_Leaders.htm] |
The leader spends much of his/her time on or near the Senate floor, and is responsible for opening the day's proceedings, keeping legislation moving, and protecting the rights and interests of party members. When several senators seek recognition simultaneously, the presiding officer in the Senate will call on the Majority Leader first, then on the Senate Minority Leader, followed by the managers of the bill being debated. This right of first recognition enables the majority leader to offer amendments, substitutes, and motions to reconsider before any other senator. Former Majority Leader [[Robert C. Byrd]] (D-W.Va.) called first recognition, "the most potent weapon in the Majority Leader's arsenal." [http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Majority_Minority_Leaders.htm] | The leader spends much of his/her time on or near the Senate floor, and is responsible for opening the day's proceedings, keeping legislation moving, and protecting the rights and interests of party members. When several senators seek recognition simultaneously, the presiding officer in the Senate will call on the Majority Leader first, then on the Senate Minority Leader, followed by the managers of the bill being debated. This right of first recognition enables the majority leader to offer amendments, substitutes, and motions to reconsider before any other senator. Former Majority Leader [[Robert C. Byrd]] (D-W.Va.) called first recognition, "the most potent weapon in the Majority Leader's arsenal." [http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Majority_Minority_Leaders.htm] | ||
| − | Sen. [[Harry Reid]] (D-Nev.) is the Majority Leader for the [[110th Congress]]. | + | Sen. [[Harry Reid]] (D-Nev.) is the Majority Leader for the [[110th Congress]]. |
| − | === Parliamentary devices | + | ===Parliamentary devices=== |
| − | ==== Senate Rule XIII | + | ====Senate Rule XIII==== |
| − | According to [[Senate Rule XIII - Reconsideration|Senate Rule XIII]], members voting with the majority are afforded certain priviledges. It states, "Any member on the winning side of any vote has the right to move to reconsider that vote within three days after the vote. If he/she does so, that motion is then put on the Senate calendar." After this movement to reconsider is made, its consideration can be triggered without debate. For a member on the losing side of a vote, he/she must go through all necessary procedural hurdles, such as filing a new motion. Once this occurs, it takes a set amount of time (often days or weeks) for a motion to be reconsidered. [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2007/02/senate_rules_a_crash_course.html] | + | According to [[Senate Rule XIII - Reconsideration|Senate Rule XIII]], members voting with the majority are afforded certain priviledges. It states, "Any member on the winning side of any vote has the right to move to reconsider that vote within three days after the vote. If he/she does so, that motion is then put on the Senate calendar." After this movement to reconsider is made, its consideration can be triggered without debate. For a member on the losing side of a vote, he/she must go through all necessary procedural hurdles, such as filing a new motion. Once this occurs, it takes a set amount of time (often days or weeks) for a motion to be reconsidered. [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2007/02/senate_rules_a_crash_course.html] |
| − | While this parliamentary tactic applies to all members, it has become an important tool for Senate majority leaders, for they control the calendar of the chamber. Former Majority Leader [[Bill Frist]] (R-Tenn.) frequently voted with Democrats on occasions in which he realized a Republican motion was headed for failure, giving himself the ability to easily reconsider the measure again in the near future. [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2007/02/senate_rules_a_crash_course.html] After the Democrats took control of the Senate following the [[2006 congressional elections]], Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] (D-Nev.) used the tactic as well. In one instance, he voted with Republicans on a motion for cloture on a resolution opposing a troop level increase in Iraq. [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2007/02/senate_rules_a_crash_course.html] | + | While this parliamentary tactic applies to all members, it has become an important tool for Senate majority leaders, for they control the calendar of the chamber. Former Majority Leader [[Bill Frist]] (R-Tenn.) frequently voted with Democrats on occasions in which he realized a Republican motion was headed for failure, giving himself the ability to easily reconsider the measure again in the near future. [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2007/02/senate_rules_a_crash_course.html] After the Democrats took control of the Senate following the [[2006 congressional elections]], Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] (D-Nev.) used the tactic as well. In one instance, he voted with Republicans on a motion for cloture on a resolution opposing a troop level increase in Iraq. [http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2007/02/senate_rules_a_crash_course.html] |
| − | *See '''Congresspedia''' page on the 2007 congressional debate over [[Troop|escalating the war in Iraq]]. | + | *See '''Congresspedia''' page on the 2007 congressional debate over [[Troop "surge" in Iraq|escalating the war in Iraq]]. |
| − | == Senate Minority Leader | + | ==Senate Minority Leader== |
| − | The '''Senate Minority Leader''' is the highest ranking member of the minority party in the [[U.S. Senate]]. Similar to the Majority Leader, a senator is elected to the post at the beginning of each Congress by members of his/her respective party conference. While the post has no official Constitutional responsibilities, historically the Minority Leader is responsible for representing the interests of the minority party both on the Senate floor and in the public. It is the goal of any Minority Leader to maintain cohesion among the members in terms of policy advancements. In addition, the leader works with committee leaders and ranking members, and in consultation with the Senate Majority Leader, also advocates “unanimous consent” agreements by which the Senate limits the amount of time for debate and divides that time between the parties. [http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Majority_Minority_Leaders.htm] | + | The '''Senate Minority Leader''' is the highest ranking member of the minority party in the [[U.S. Senate]]. Similar to the Majority Leader, a senator is elected to the post at the beginning of each Congress by members of his/her respective party conference. While the post has no official Constitutional responsibilities, historically the Minority Leader is responsible for representing the interests of the minority party both on the Senate floor and in the public. It is the goal of any Minority Leader to maintain cohesion among the members in terms of policy advancements. In addition, the leader works with committee leaders and ranking members, and in consultation with the Senate Majority Leader, also advocates “unanimous consent” agreements by which the Senate limits the amount of time for debate and divides that time between the parties. [http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Majority_Minority_Leaders.htm] |
| − | The leader spends much of his/her time on or near the Senate floor. When several senators seek recognition simultaneously, the presiding officer in the Senate will call on the Majority Leader first, then on the Minority Leader, followed by the managers of the bill being debated. [http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Majority_Minority_Leaders.htm] | + | The leader spends much of his/her time on or near the Senate floor. When several senators seek recognition simultaneously, the presiding officer in the Senate will call on the Majority Leader first, then on the Minority Leader, followed by the managers of the bill being debated. [http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Majority_Minority_Leaders.htm] |
| − | Sen. [[Mitch McConnell]] (R-Kent.) is the Minority Leader for the [[110th Congress]]. | + | Sen. [[Mitch McConnell]] (R-Kent.) is the Minority Leader for the [[110th Congress]]. |
| − | == Senate Whips | + | ==Senate Whips== |
| − | In the Senate, members of both the majority and minority party elect a Whip at the commencement of each Congress. The term "Whip" is originally derived from the British fox hunting term "whipper in," which described the person responsible for keeping the foxhounds from leaving the pack. The title was first used in the British House of Commons in the late 1700s to describe the officials responsible for gathering votes on a given issue. [http://mcconnell.senate.gov/whip_office.cfm] | + | In the Senate, members of both the majority and minority party elect a Whip at the commencement of each Congress. The term "Whip" is originally derived from the British fox hunting term "whipper in," which described the person responsible for keeping the foxhounds from leaving the pack. The title was first used in the British House of Commons in the late 1700s to describe the officials responsible for gathering votes on a given issue. [http://mcconnell.senate.gov/whip_office.cfm] |
Both the '''Senate Majority Whip''' and '''Senate Minority Whip''' are primarily responsible for building support among the party's members on key issues. When the Majority Leader cannot be present on the Senate floor, the Majority Whip often serves as the acting floor leader. [http://mcconnell.senate.gov/whip_office.cfm] | Both the '''Senate Majority Whip''' and '''Senate Minority Whip''' are primarily responsible for building support among the party's members on key issues. When the Majority Leader cannot be present on the Senate floor, the Majority Whip often serves as the acting floor leader. [http://mcconnell.senate.gov/whip_office.cfm] | ||
| − | For the [[110th Congress]], Sen. [[Dick Durbin]] is the Majority Whip, while Sen. [[Trent Lott]] (R-Miss.) is the Minority Whip. [http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/11/sen_lott_returns_to_gop_leader.html] | + | For the [[110th Congress]], Sen. [[Dick Durbin]] is the Majority Whip, while Sen. [[Trent Lott]] (R-Miss.) is the Minority Whip. [http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/11/sen_lott_returns_to_gop_leader.html] |
| − | == Past Senate leadership | + | ==Past Senate leadership== |
| + | ===110th Congress (2007-2008)=== | ||
| + | ====Democratic leadership for the 110th Congress==== | ||
| + | <table border="1"> | ||
| + | <tr><th>Position</th><th>Member</th></tr> | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Majority Leader<br>Chair of the Democratic Conference</td><td>[[Harry Reid]] (Nev.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Majority Whip</td><td>[[Dick Durbin]] (Ill.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Conference Secretary*</td><td>[[Patty Murray]] (Wash.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Vice-Chairman of the Conference*</td><td>[[Chuck Schumer]] (N.Y.) </td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr><td>Steering Committee Chairperson*</td><td>[[Debbie Stabenow]] (Mich.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr><td>DSCC Chairperson*</td><td>[[Chuck Schumer]] (N.Y.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | </table> | ||
| − | === 110th Congress | + | ====Republican leadership for the 110th Congress==== |
| − | < | + | <table border="1"> |
| − | + | <tr><th>Position</th><th>Member</th></tr> | |
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Minority Leader</td><td>[[Mitch McConnell]] (Ky.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Minority Whip</td><td>[[Trent Lott]] (Miss.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Conference Chairperson*</td><td>[[Lamar Alexander]] (Tenn.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Policy Committee Chair*</td><td>[[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] (Texas)</td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Conference Vice-Chairperson*</td><td>[[John Cornyn]] (Texas)</td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Chairman of NRSC*</td><td>[[John Ensign]] (Nev.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | </table> | ||
| + | <nowiki>*</nowiki>Position is not an official Senate leadership position but is part of the conference leadership | ||
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| − | + | ===109th Congress (2005-2006)=== | |
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| − | < | + | ====Republican leadership for the 109th Congress==== |
| + | <table border="1"> | ||
| + | <tr><th>Position</th><th>Member</th></tr> | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Majority Leader<br>Chair of the Republican Conference</td><td>[[Bill Frist]] (Tenn.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Majority Whip</td><td>[[Mitch McConnell]] (Ky.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Conference Secretary*</td><td>[[Rick Santorum]] (Pa.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td>Vice-Chairman of the Conference*</td><td>[[Kay Bailey Hutchison]] (Texas) </td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr><td>Policy Committee Chairman*</td><td>[[Jon Kyl]] (Ariz.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | <tr><td>RNSC Chairwoman*</td><td>[[Elizabeth Dole]] (N.C.)</td></tr> | ||
| + | </table> | ||
| − | + | ====Democratic leadership for the 109th Congress==== | |
| − | + | <table border="1"> | |
| − | === | + | <tr><th>Position</th><th>Member</th></tr> |
| − | + | <tr> | |
| − | + | <td>Minority Leader<br>Chairman of Democratic Conference</td><td>[[Harry Reid]] (Nev.)</td></tr> | |
| − | + | <tr> | |
| − | + | <td>Minority Whip</td><td>[[Dick Durbin]] (Ill.)</td></tr> | |
| − | + | <tr> | |
| − | + | <td>Conference secretary*</td><td>[[Debbie Stabenow]] (Mich.)</td></tr> | |
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| − | + | <td>Policy Committee Chair*</td><td>[[Byron Dorgan]] (N.D.)</td></tr> | |
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| − | + | <td>Chair of the Steering Committee*</td><td>[[Hillary Clinton]] (N.Y.)</td></tr> | |
| − | + | <tr> | |
| − | + | <td>Chairman of DSCC*</td><td>[[Charles Schumer]] (N.Y)</td></tr> | |
| − | + | </table> | |
| − | + | <nowiki>*</nowiki>Position is not an official House leadership position but is part of the conference leadership | |
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| − | <nowiki>*</nowiki>Position is not an official House leadership position but is part of the conference leadership | + | |
| − | == Articles and Resources | + | ==Articles and Resources== |
| − | === Resources | + | ===Resources=== |
| − | *[http://frist.senate.gov/ Office of the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.)] | + | *[http://frist.senate.gov/ Office of the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.)] |
| − | *[http://reid.senate.gov/ Office of the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.)] | + | *[http://reid.senate.gov/ Office of the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.)] |
| − | *[http://mcconnell.senate.gov/whip_office.cfm Office of the Senate Majority Whip, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)] | + | *[http://mcconnell.senate.gov/whip_office.cfm Office of the Senate Majority Whip, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)] |
*[http://durbin.senate.gov/ Office of the Senate Minority Whip, Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)] | *[http://durbin.senate.gov/ Office of the Senate Minority Whip, Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)] | ||
| − | === Articles | + | ===Articles=== |
*[http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Majority_Minority_Leaders.htm, “Majority and Minority Leaders and Party Whips,”] ''U.S. Senate,'' 2006. | *[http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Majority_Minority_Leaders.htm, “Majority and Minority Leaders and Party Whips,”] ''U.S. Senate,'' 2006. | ||
| − | [[ | + | [[category:congresspedia]] |
| + | [[category:How Congress works]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:39, June 17, 2009
This page focuses on the positions which comprise the leadership of the U.S. Senate.
Contents |
Current Senate Leadership
Democratic Leadership
The Senate Democratic caucus selected the following members to serve as their leadership in the 111th Congress:
| Position | Member |
|---|---|
| President of the Senate | Joe Biden (Vice President of the United States) |
| Majority Leader Chairman of Democratic Caucus |
Harry Reid (Nev.) |
| Majority Whip | Dick Durbin (Ill.) |
| Vice-chair of Democratic Caucus | Charles Schumer (N.Y) |
| Chairman of DSCC | Robert Menendez (N.J.) |
| Conference secretary | Patty Murray (Wash.) |
| Chair of the steering committee | Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) |
Republican Leadership
The Senate Republican caucus selected the following members to serve as their leadership in the 111th Congress:
| Position | Member |
|---|---|
| Minority Leader | Mitch McConnell (Ky.) |
| Minority Whip | Jon Kyl (Ariz.) |
| Conference Chair | Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) |
| Conference Vice-Chair | John Thune (S.D.) |
| Policy Committee Chairman | TBD |
| Chairman of the NRSC | John Cornyn (Texas) |
Senate Majority Leader
The Senate Majority Leader is the highest ranking member of the majority party in the U.S. Senate. A senator is elected to the post at the beginning of each Congress by members of his/her respective party conference. The Majority Leader is responsible for representing the interests of the majority party on the Senate floor, and also for speaking on behalf of the Senate as an institution. In addition, the leader works with committee leaders and ranking members, schedules business on the floor by calling bills from the calendar, and keeps members of his party advised about the daily legislative program. In consultation with the Minority Leader, the leader also advocates "unanimous consent" agreements by which the Senate limits the amount of time for debate and divides that time between the parties. [1]
The leader spends much of his/her time on or near the Senate floor, and is responsible for opening the day's proceedings, keeping legislation moving, and protecting the rights and interests of party members. When several senators seek recognition simultaneously, the presiding officer in the Senate will call on the Majority Leader first, then on the Senate Minority Leader, followed by the managers of the bill being debated. This right of first recognition enables the majority leader to offer amendments, substitutes, and motions to reconsider before any other senator. Former Majority Leader Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) called first recognition, "the most potent weapon in the Majority Leader's arsenal." [2]
Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is the Majority Leader for the 110th Congress.
Parliamentary devices
Senate Rule XIII
According to Senate Rule XIII, members voting with the majority are afforded certain priviledges. It states, "Any member on the winning side of any vote has the right to move to reconsider that vote within three days after the vote. If he/she does so, that motion is then put on the Senate calendar." After this movement to reconsider is made, its consideration can be triggered without debate. For a member on the losing side of a vote, he/she must go through all necessary procedural hurdles, such as filing a new motion. Once this occurs, it takes a set amount of time (often days or weeks) for a motion to be reconsidered. [3]
While this parliamentary tactic applies to all members, it has become an important tool for Senate majority leaders, for they control the calendar of the chamber. Former Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) frequently voted with Democrats on occasions in which he realized a Republican motion was headed for failure, giving himself the ability to easily reconsider the measure again in the near future. [4] After the Democrats took control of the Senate following the 2006 congressional elections, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) used the tactic as well. In one instance, he voted with Republicans on a motion for cloture on a resolution opposing a troop level increase in Iraq. [5]
- See Congresspedia page on the 2007 congressional debate over escalating the war in Iraq.
Senate Minority Leader
The Senate Minority Leader is the highest ranking member of the minority party in the U.S. Senate. Similar to the Majority Leader, a senator is elected to the post at the beginning of each Congress by members of his/her respective party conference. While the post has no official Constitutional responsibilities, historically the Minority Leader is responsible for representing the interests of the minority party both on the Senate floor and in the public. It is the goal of any Minority Leader to maintain cohesion among the members in terms of policy advancements. In addition, the leader works with committee leaders and ranking members, and in consultation with the Senate Majority Leader, also advocates “unanimous consent” agreements by which the Senate limits the amount of time for debate and divides that time between the parties. [6]
The leader spends much of his/her time on or near the Senate floor. When several senators seek recognition simultaneously, the presiding officer in the Senate will call on the Majority Leader first, then on the Minority Leader, followed by the managers of the bill being debated. [7]
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kent.) is the Minority Leader for the 110th Congress.
Senate Whips
In the Senate, members of both the majority and minority party elect a Whip at the commencement of each Congress. The term "Whip" is originally derived from the British fox hunting term "whipper in," which described the person responsible for keeping the foxhounds from leaving the pack. The title was first used in the British House of Commons in the late 1700s to describe the officials responsible for gathering votes on a given issue. [8]
Both the Senate Majority Whip and Senate Minority Whip are primarily responsible for building support among the party's members on key issues. When the Majority Leader cannot be present on the Senate floor, the Majority Whip often serves as the acting floor leader. [9]
For the 110th Congress, Sen. Dick Durbin is the Majority Whip, while Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) is the Minority Whip. [10]
Past Senate leadership
110th Congress (2007-2008)
Democratic leadership for the 110th Congress
| Position | Member |
|---|---|
| Majority Leader Chair of the Democratic Conference | Harry Reid (Nev.) |
| Majority Whip | Dick Durbin (Ill.) |
| Conference Secretary* | Patty Murray (Wash.) |
| Vice-Chairman of the Conference* | Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) |
| Steering Committee Chairperson* | Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) |
| DSCC Chairperson* | Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) |
Republican leadership for the 110th Congress
| Position | Member |
|---|---|
| Minority Leader | Mitch McConnell (Ky.) |
| Minority Whip | Trent Lott (Miss.) |
| Conference Chairperson* | Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) |
| Policy Committee Chair* | Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas) |
| Conference Vice-Chairperson* | John Cornyn (Texas) |
| Chairman of NRSC* | John Ensign (Nev.) |
*Position is not an official Senate leadership position but is part of the conference leadership
109th Congress (2005-2006)
Republican leadership for the 109th Congress
| Position | Member |
|---|---|
| Majority Leader Chair of the Republican Conference | Bill Frist (Tenn.) |
| Majority Whip | Mitch McConnell (Ky.) |
| Conference Secretary* | Rick Santorum (Pa.) |
| Vice-Chairman of the Conference* | Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas) |
| Policy Committee Chairman* | Jon Kyl (Ariz.) |
| RNSC Chairwoman* | Elizabeth Dole (N.C.) |
Democratic leadership for the 109th Congress
| Position | Member |
|---|---|
| Minority Leader Chairman of Democratic Conference | Harry Reid (Nev.) |
| Minority Whip | Dick Durbin (Ill.) |
| Conference secretary* | Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) |
| Policy Committee Chair* | Byron Dorgan (N.D.) |
| Chair of the Steering Committee* | Hillary Clinton (N.Y.) |
| Chairman of DSCC* | Charles Schumer (N.Y) |
*Position is not an official House leadership position but is part of the conference leadership
Articles and Resources
Resources
- Office of the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.)
- Office of the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
- Office of the Senate Majority Whip, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
- Office of the Senate Minority Whip, Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)
Articles
- “Majority and Minority Leaders and Party Whips,” U.S. Senate, 2006.
