Majority leader: Difference between revisions
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In the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] the majority leader's presence and power often depends on the session. In some sessions, the majority leader takes precedence over the [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]] as house leader and legislative party leader either by force (which usually occurs when the Speaker of the House is unpopular) or because the Speaker of the House voluntarily surrenders power to the majority leader. In most sessions, the Speaker of the House takes precedence as house leader and party leader, with the majority leader being largely de facto irrelevant outside the fact they might be Speaker of the House one day. |
In the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] the majority leader's presence and power often depends on the session. In some sessions, the majority leader takes precedence over the [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]] as house leader and legislative party leader either by force (which usually occurs when the Speaker of the House is unpopular) or because the Speaker of the House voluntarily surrenders power to the majority leader. In most sessions, the Speaker of the House takes precedence as house leader and party leader, with the majority leader being largely de facto irrelevant outside the fact they might be Speaker of the House one day. |
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| ⚫ | In the [[United States Senate|Senate]], officially, the [[Vice President of the United States]] is the [[Vice President of the United States#President of the United States Senate|President of the Senate]] and the [[President pro tempore of the United States Senate|President pro tempore]] serves as President of the Senate in the absence of the Vice President (or becomes President of the United States according to the [[Constitution of the United States|Constitution]]). However, in reality, the Vice President seldom enters the Senate, let alone directly presides over the chamber, unless an evenly divided vote is expected, and the President pro tempore has become a de facto ceremonial role deprived of any leadership ability. |
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In the [[United States Senate|Senate]], the majority leader is the chief spokesperson for the majority party in the legislature (if the House is held by an opposition party) and the Senate.<ref name="legal"/> |
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| ⚫ | Thus, the Majority Leader is seen as the ''de facto'' leader of the Senate, especially in modern times, and thus, in accordance with Senate rules, the Presiding Officer of the day gives the Majority Leader priority in obtaining recognition to speak on the floor of the Senate. In addition, the Majority Leader serves as the chief spokesperson for their party in the legislature (if the House is held by an opposition party) and the Senate.<ref name="legal"/> |
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However, in reality, the Vice President seldom enters the Senate, let alone directly presides over the chamber, unless an evenly divided vote is expected, and the President pro tempore has become a de facto ceremonial role deprived of any leadership ability. |
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In the [[United States Senate]], the current Majority Leader is [[Chuck Schumer]], who assumed office on January 20th, 2021. |
In the [[United States Senate]], the current Majority Leader is [[Chuck Schumer]], who assumed office on January 20th, 2021. |
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Revision as of 12:14, 16 July 2021
 | The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (March 2016) |
In U.S. politics (as well as in some other countries utilizing the presidential system), the majority floor leader is a partisan position in a legislative body.[1] In the federal Congress, the roles of the House Majority Leader and the Senate Majority Leader differ slightly.
In the House of Representatives the majority leader's presence and power often depends on the session. In some sessions, the majority leader takes precedence over the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives as house leader and legislative party leader either by force (which usually occurs when the Speaker of the House is unpopular) or because the Speaker of the House voluntarily surrenders power to the majority leader. In most sessions, the Speaker of the House takes precedence as house leader and party leader, with the majority leader being largely de facto irrelevant outside the fact they might be Speaker of the House one day.
In the Senate, officially, the Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate and the President pro tempore serves as President of the Senate in the absence of the Vice President (or becomes President of the United States according to the Constitution). However, in reality, the Vice President seldom enters the Senate, let alone directly presides over the chamber, unless an evenly divided vote is expected, and the President pro tempore has become a de facto ceremonial role deprived of any leadership ability.
Thus, the Majority Leader is seen as the de facto leader of the Senate, especially in modern times, and thus, in accordance with Senate rules, the Presiding Officer of the day gives the Majority Leader priority in obtaining recognition to speak on the floor of the Senate. In addition, the Majority Leader serves as the chief spokesperson for their party in the legislature (if the House is held by an opposition party) and the Senate.[1]
At the state level, the majority leader of a given state legislative chamber usually performs a similar role to that of their federal counterpart.
In the United States Senate, the current Majority Leader is Chuck Schumer, who assumed office on January 20th, 2021.
In the United States House of Representatives, the current Majority Leader is Steny Hoyer, who assumed office on January 3rd, 2019.
See also
References
- ^ a b USLegal.com (accessed April 11, 2013)
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