11.3 Leadership Roles in Congress

Majority and Minority Leaders of the House

Elected by their respective parties, manage legislation on the House floor. The majority leader is the majority party's second in command. The minority leader is the minority party's overall leader and main strategist.

The President of the senate Pro Tempore

Is the senior senator of the majority party and may preside over Senate sessions when the vice president is not there. Most often, other members of the majority party take turns presiding as the Senate conducts its day-to-day business.

Speaker of the House

Nominated by the majority, assigns bills to committees, appoints members to special committees and commissions and most importantly deciding what bills will be debated by the full House and when.

The President of the Senate

The Constitution assigns this position to the vice president of the United States. In general, however, the vice president appears on the Senate floor only for ceremonies or to break a tie vote.

Majority and minority whips of the Senate

The main duty of these assistant floor leaders is to stand in for the majority and minority leaders. Their other duties vary, depending on the needs of their party leaders.

Majority Leader of the Senate

The majority leader serves as the spokesperson for the party that holds the most seats in the Senate. The Senate majority leader must work with party members and the minority leader to move legislation to a vote.

Majority and Minority Whips of the House

These assistant floor leaders are responsible for keeping the leadership informed and persuading party members to vote along party lines.

Minority Leader Of the Senate

This leader helps shape minority party policy and devise strategies for stopping majority-sponsored bills opposed by the minority party. The minority leader also works with the Senate majority leader to schedule business on the Senate floor.