#33: CIVICS 101: The Legislative Branch
Q&A #33: What are party Leaders?
Our American Government
Our American Government is a small book published by the House of Representatives for citizens and those who seek a greater understanding of the American interpretation of democracy. It follows a question-and-answer format and covers a broad range of topics dealing with the three branches of our Government, the electoral process, and the role of political parties.
The Savvy Citizen is reproducing the 169 questions-and-answers through a series of posts called Civics 101. Each post will contain the Q&A as well as some additional commentary to add historical context, fun facts, or anything we believe will add to our collective understanding of these topics.
Think of it as your adult Civics class, but without the test!
Let’s keep at it.
SECTION: The Legislative Branch: The Congress
Members, Offices, and Staff
Q&A #33: What are party Leaders?
The political parties in the House and Senate elect Leaders to represent them on the floor, to advocate their policies and viewpoints, to coordinate their legislative efforts, and to help determine the schedule of legislative business. The Leaders serve as spokespersons for their parties and for the House and Senate as a whole. Since the Framers of the Constitution did not anticipate political parties, the leadership posts are not defined in the Constitution but have evolved over time.
The House, with its larger membership, required Majority and Minority Leaders in the 19th century to expedite legislative business and to keep their parties united. The Senate did not formally designate party floor leaders until the 1920s, although several caucus chairmen and committee chairmen had previously performed similar duties.
In both Houses, the parties also elect assistant leaders, or “Whips.” The Majority Leader is elected by the majority-party conference (or caucus), the Minority Leader by the minority-party conference. Third parties have rarely had enough members to need to elect their own leadership, and independents will generally join one of the larger party organizations to receive committee assignments. Majority and Minority Leaders receive a higher salary than other Members in recognition of their additional responsibilities.
My Thoughts
For the 119th Congress, John Thune (R-SD) is the Majority Leader and Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) is the Minority Leader in the Senate. Steve Scalise (R-LA) is the Majority Leader and Hakeen Jeffries (D-NY) is the Minority Leader in the House.
You can review all of the leadership positions online. The Senate’s leadership structure is here and House’s is here.
We’re on day three (3) of the new Congress - much more to come!
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Back next time with Q&A #34: Are the Majority Leaders elected by their respective Houses of Congress?
Meanwhile, don’t forget that we’re organizing the post links on a single page available here.
xo,
Kelley for the Savvy Citizen Team
January 6, 2025