Party leadership in Congress

With each new Congress, the Democratic and Republican Conferences elect one of their members to serve as party leader. Depending on which party is in power, one party leader serves as the majority leader and the other as the minority leader. Both party leaders, also called floor leaders, serve as the spokespersons for their party’s positions on the issues and coordinate their respective legislative strategies.

Working with the committee chairs and ranking members, the majority leader schedules business on the floor by calling bills from the calendar and keeps members of his or her caucus advised about the daily legislative program. In consultation with the minority leader, the majority leader fashions unanimous consent agreements by which the Senate may limit the amount of time for debate on a measure and divide that time between the parties.

Occupying the front-row desks on the center aisle in the Senate Chamber, the leaders pay close attention to floor action. They open and close the day's proceedings, keep legislation moving, and protect the rights and interests of party members. When several senators are seeking recognition at the same time, the presiding officer of the Senate will call on the majority leader first, then on the minority leader, and then on the managers of the bill being debated. This right of first recognition enables the majority leader to offer amendments, substitutes, and motions to reconsider before any other senator.

The position of party floor leader is not included in the Constitution. It evolved gradually in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The position developed separately within each of the major party conferences, with the conference chairs gradually assuming the functions associated with modern-day floor leaders well before creation of the title itself. By the 1910s, both parties were electing conference chairs who acted as floor leaders, and by the 1920s, these leaders were exercising the full array of responsibilities associated with modern floor leadership.

The Speaker 

Majority Leader 

The majority leader speaks for the majority party in each chamber of Congress. When several senators or representatives want to talk, the presiding officer usually calls on the majority leader first. They set the legislative agenda, schedule bills, and make committee recommendations. As the party's spokesperson, they also promote policies and seek public support.

In the House of Representatives, the role differs slightly. The House majority leader often serves as the speaker’s second-in-command, sharing some duties with the speaker. Responsibilities can vary with each new pair of leaders. In 2024, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) is the House majority leader.

In the Senate, the majority leader acts as the chamber’s leader. Although the Vice President is the official presiding officer, they rarely participate. The majority leader usually presides, much like the Speaker of the House. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is the current Senate majority leader.

Both the Democratic Caucus and Republican Conference elect new leaders and whips before each new Congress starts. These positions don’t require a floor vote like the Speaker of the House does.

Minority Leader

 Minority leaders head the opposition in both the House and the Senate. They represent their party’s members and interests and speak second during floor debates. They may oppose the majority’s bills or work to amend them. If the President is from the same party, the minority leader works with the White House on legislative goals.

The minority leader also aims to regain party control of their chamber by helping with campaigns. They criticize the majority’s policies and promote their own agenda.

When control of a chamber shifts, party leaders often keep their roles, so a majority leader might become a minority leader. In the House, the former Speaker and the former majority leader might compete for the minority leader role.

In 2024, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is the House minority leader and chairs the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which nominates members for committee assignments and advises on policy. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is the Senate minority leader, holding a 17-year tenure as Republican leader. He chairs the Republican Steering Committee, which decides committee assignments.

Whip 

Whips help their party leaders gather votes for legislation and support their agenda. Both the majority and minority parties have whips. The term comes from “whipper-in,” a fox hunting role.

In Congress, a whip’s job is to keep party members in line with the party’s platform. They communicate, negotiate, and enforce party discipline. They count votes for key bills and report back to their leaders. If more votes are needed, they persuade members to vote for the bill, sometimes by offering committee positions or other incentives. Whips also inform members about the legislative agenda and party positions on major issues.

Parties may have several caucuses representing different interests and goals, sometimes conflicting. Whips work to unite these groups behind the party’s main objectives.

Whips may also be called “assistant majority leader” or “assistant minority leader.” In 2024, the current whips are:

• House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN)

• House Minority Whip Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA)

• Senate Majority Whip Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)

• Senate Minority Whip Sen. John Thune (R-SD)

Upcoming Changes to Congressional Leaders Some congressional leaders will change next year. In February 2024, Senator McConnell announced he would step down as Senate Minority Leader at the end of the year. The Senate Republican Conference will select a new leader before the next Congress starts in January 2025.