The Senate Floor Leaders
The floor leaders and whips of each party are elected by a majority vote of all
the Senators of their party assembled in a conference or, as it sometimes is called,
a caucus. The practice has been to choose the leader for a two-year term at
the beginning of each Congress. The majority and minority leaders are the
elected spokespersons on the Senate floor for their respective political parties.
Majority and Minority Leaders and Party Whips
The position of party floor leaders, or majority leader and minority leader, are
not included in the Constitution. Rather, these party leadership positions developed
gradually over the course of the 20th century. The Senate designated its first Democratic
floor leader in 1920, and its first Republican leader in 1925. The majority leader
schedules the daily legislative agenda.
Party Whips
Party whips are assistant floor leaders, elected by the party conference, who help
the majority and minority leaders track votes on important legislation. In the absence
of a party floor leader, the whip often serves as acting floor leader.
Conference Chairpersons
Members of each major party convene in private meetings known as party conferences
(or party caucuses) to elect floor leaders, make committee assignments, and set
legislative agendas. The Democratic floor leader serves as chair of the party conference,
while the Republican party separates the positions, electing a chairperson for the
party conference, apart from the floor leader.
Policy Committee Chairpersons
The Senate created Democratic and Republican Policy Committees in 1947. Until 2000,
the Democratic Policy Committee was chaired by the party floor leader, who also
served as chair of the Democratic Conference. A co-chair position was added in 1989.
In the 106th Congress, the majority leader dropped his co-chair status and the chair
of the policy committee is now an elected post. The Republican Policy Committee
elects its chairperson separate from the party floor leader.
Conference Secretaries
Members of each political party convene in private meetings known as party conferences
(or party caucuses) to elect floor leaders, make committee assignments, and set
legislative agendas. The Conference Secretary is responsible for keeping the minutes
of these meetings.
Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairs
Democrats and Republicans in the Senate appoint campaign committees to raise funds
for congressional elections. Chaired by senators, these committees distribute funds
to incumbent senators and promising candidates.
