Congressional Leadership

HoR: Speaker of the House

most powerful person in the house

chosen by members of the majority party

responsibilities: presides over house proceedings, sets the legislative agenda, assigns committee leadership and membership, acts as a spokesperson for the house, second in the line of presidential succession

HoR: house majority leader

leader of the political party that controls the most seats in the House

sets the agenda for their party

works closely with the speaker of the house

HoR: house minority leader

leader of the political party that controls fewer seats in the house

coordinates their party's strategy

keeps their party united

prepares for the next election

acts as the spokesperson for the minority party

SEN.: presidet pro tempore

honorary position, typically given to the longest-serving member of the majority party in recognition of their experience and seniority

their job technically includes presiding over the senate when the VP isn't there, but this almost never happens. Instead junior senators are usually assigned this duty.

this role is largely symbolic — but, the president pro tempore is third in the line of presidential succession

SEN.: senate majority leader

the most powerful person in the Senate

leader of the political party that controls the most seats in the Senate

sets the agenda for their party

works closely with the minority leader of the Senate to schedule debates and votes

SEN.: senate minority leaders

leader of the political party that controls fewer seats in the Senate

coordinates their party's strategy

keeps their party united

prepares for the next election

acts as the spokesperson for the minority party

Whips

assistant party leaders in both chambers

whip responsibilities

maintain party discipline and make sure that everyone in their party votes the way that party leadership wants

counting votes before they happen to make sure that their party knows whether they have enough support to pass or block a bill

persuading party members to attend important votes and ensure that they are present and voting