The Senate Majority Leader, a position that is not mentioned in the US Constitution, has evolved over time. It is now one of the most influential roles in all of American government.
Exemplified by Mitch McConnell’s 17-year tenure as the Senate Republican Party leader–six years of which he spent as Majority Leader–the Leader controls the Senate’s agenda, committee assignments, and daily operations. This power allows Senate leaders to prioritize or block legislation, shape the political landscape, and influence the appointment of federal judges, including Supreme Court justices.
In this video, with the help of two former leaders, Trent Lott and Tom Daschle, we explore what the Majority Leader does, where the power comes from, and how the Leader is chosen.
Video features:
- Trent Lott (R-MS), Senate Majority Leader, 1996-2001, 2001
- Tom Daschle (D-SD), Senate Majority Leader, 2001, 2001-2003
Zach C. Cohen , Congress reporter
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