Current party leaders of the United States Senate

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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 their 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, and oversee efforts to maintain and grow the party's seats in the Senate.[1]

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.[2]

Unlike committee chairmanships, leadership positions are not traditionally conferred on the basis of seniority, but are elected in closed-door caucuses.[3]

Democratic leadership[]

Since January 20, 2021, the Democratic Party has constituted a majority in the United States Senate.

Position Name State Notes[4][5]
Floor Leader Chuck Schumer New York Senate Majority Leader
Floor Whip Dick Durbin Illinois Senate Majority Whip
Assistant Floor Leader Patty Murray Washington (state) The third-ranking democrat in the Senate. Position created in 2016 after Reid's retirement to settle possible rivalry between Murray and Durbin for the whip post.
Chair of Policy and Communications Committee Debbie Stabenow Michigan Responsible for relations between Senate committees and the Senate Democratic Conference
Steering Chair of the Steering and Outreach Committee Amy Klobuchar Minnesota Responsible for fostering relations between Senate Democrats and community leaders and interest groups - chair split with Senator Sanders
Senate Democratic Conference Secretary Tammy Baldwin Wisconsin Responsible for managing the policy agenda for the Senate Democratic Conference
Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus Mark Warner

Elizabeth Warren

Virginia

Massachusetts

Position created for Schumer after successful tenure as DSCC chairman
Outreach Chair of the Steering and Outreach Committee Bernie Sanders Vermont Responsible for fostering relations between Senate Democrats and community leaders and interest groups - chair split with Senator Klobuchar
Outreach Vice Chair of the Steering and Outreach Committee Catherine Cortez Masto Nevada
Vice Chair of Policy and Communications Committee Joe Manchin


Cory Booker

West Virginia


New Jersey

Assists caucus with policy proposals, outreach, legislative research, and party unity
Senate President Pro Tempore Patrick Leahy Vermont The longest serving Democratic Senator; honorary member of the leadership team
President of the Senate Kamala Harris (California) Not a Senator; see Vice President of the United States


In practicality, only an ex officio leadership member due to the Vice President's Executive Branch nature

Republican leadership[]

Since January 20, 2021, the Republican Party has constituted a minority in the United States Senate.

Position Name State Notes[6][5][7]
Floor Leader Mitch McConnell Kentucky Senate Minority Leader
Floor Whip John Thune South Dakota Senate Minority Whip
Republican Conference Chair John Barrasso Wyoming Oversees floor leader election, helps lead policy initiatives and policy proposals
Republican Policy Committee Chair Roy Blunt Missouri Policy liaison between committees and conference legislation
Republican Conference Vice Chair Joni Ernst Iowa Takes minutes and assists chair with conference operations
Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee Rick Scott Florida Responsible for overseeing efforts to elect Republicans to the Senate
Senate President Pro Tempore Emeritus Chuck Grassley Iowa The longest-serving Republican senator, honorary member of Republican leadership

References[]

  1. ^ "U.S. Senate: Responsibilities of Majority and Minority Leaders". www.senate.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  2. ^ "U.S. Senate: President Pro Tempore". www.senate.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  3. ^ "U.S. Senate: Majority and Minority Leaders". www.senate.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  4. ^ Leadership | Senate Democrats. Democrats.senate.gov (2013-01-18). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
  5. ^ a b U.S. Senate: Senators Home > Senate Organization. Senate.gov (2013-05-31). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
  6. ^ Republican.Senate.Gov. Republican.Senate.Gov (2012-09-04). Retrieved on 2013-08-16.
  7. ^ "Republican Senators | Republican Leader". www.republicanleader.senate.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
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