Majority and Minority Leaders and Party Whips
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Majority and Minority Leaders
Chapter 3: Majority and Minority Whips (Assistant Floor Leaders)
Chapter 4: Complete List of Majority and Minority Leaders
Chapter 5: Longest-Serving Party Leaders
The positions of party floor leader are not included in the Constitution but developed gradually in the 20th century. The first floor leaders were formally designated in 1920 (Democrats) and 1925 (Republicans).
The Senate Republican and Democratic floor leaders are elected by the members of their party in the Senate at the beginning of each Congress. Depending on which party is in power, one serves as majority leader and the other as minority leader. The leaders serve as spokespersons for their party's positions on issues. The majority leader schedules the daily legislative program and fashions the unanimous consent agreements that govern the time for debate.
The majority leader has the right to be called upon first if several senators are seeking recognition by the presiding officer, which enables him to offer motions or amendments before any other senator.
Elected at the beginning of each Congress by members of their respective party conferences to represent them on the Senate floor, the majority and minority leaders serve as spokesmen for their parties' positions on the issues. The majority leader has also come to speak for the Senate as an institution. 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 party advised about the daily legislative program. In consultation with the minority leader, the majority leader fashions unanimous consent agreements by which the Senate limits the amount of time for debate and divides that time between the parties. When time limits cannot be agreed on, the majority leader might file for cloture to shut off debate. Occupying the front desks on the center aisle, the two leaders coordinate party strategy and try to keep their parties united on roll-call votes.
The leaders spend much of their time on or near the Senate floor, to open 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 in the Senate will call on the majority leader first, then on the minority leader, and then on the managers of the bill being debated, in that order. This right of first recognition enables the majority leader to offer amendments, substitutes, and motions to reconsider before any other senator. Former Majority Leader Robert C. Byrd called first recognition "the most potent weapon in the Majority Leader's arsenal."
The posts of majority and minority leader are not included in the Constitution, as are the president of the Senate (the vice president of the United States) and the president pro tempore. Instead, party floor leadership evolved out of necessity. During the nineteenth century, floor leadership was exercised by the chair of the party conference and the chairs of the most powerful standing committees. In 1913, to help enact President Woodrow Wilson's ambitious legislative program, Democratic Conference chairman John Worth Kern of Indiana began functioning along the lines of the modern majority leader. In 1919, when Republicans returned to the majority, Republican Conference Chairman Henry Cabot Lodge, Sr. also acted as floor leader. Not until 1925 did Republicans officially designate Senator Charles Curtis of Kansas as majority leader, separate from the Conference chair. (Five years earlier, the Democrats had specifically named Oscar Underwood of Alabama as minority leader.)
Although party floor leadership posts carry great responsibility, they provide few specific powers. Instead, floor leaders have largely had to depend on their individual skill, intelligence, and personality. Majority leaders seek to balance the needs of senators of both parties to express their views fully on a bill with the pressures to move the bill as quickly as possible toward enactment. These conflicting demands have required majority leaders to develop skills in compromise, accommodation, and diplomacy. Lyndon Johnson, who held the post in the 1950s, once said that the greatest power of the majority leader was "the power of persuasion."
The majority leader usually works closely with the minority leader so that, as Senator Bob Dole explained, "we never surprise each other on the floor." The party leaders meet frequently with the president and with the leaders of the House of Representatives. The majority leader also greets foreign dignitaries visiting the Capitol.
Majority and Minority Whips (Assistant Floor Leaders)
Both parties in the Senate elect whips. The term "whip" comes from a fox-hunting expression -- "whipper-in" -- referring to the member of the hunting team responsible for keeping the dogs from straying from the team during a chase.
Established early in the 20th century, the development of party whips coincided with the evolution of party leaders in the Senate. Democrat James Hamilton Lewis of Illinois became the first party whip in 1913, and the Republicans established their own whip position two years later. These assistant leaders are mainly responsible for counting heads and rounding up party members for votes and quorum calls, and they occasionally stand in for the majority or minority leaders in their absence. List of Party Whips
Complete List of Majority and Minority Leaders
| Congress | Majority Leader | Minority Leader |
|---|---|---|
| 66th Congress (1919-1921)[1] | None | Oscar W. Underwood (D-AL) |
| 67th Congress (1921-1923) | None [2] | Oscar W. Underwood (D-AL) |
| 68th Congress (1923-1925) | None | Joseph T. Robinson (D-AR) |
| 69th Congress (1925-1927)[3] | Charles Curtis (R-KS) | Joseph T. Robinson (D-AR) |
| 70th Congress (1927-1929) | Charles Curtis (R-KS)[4] | Joseph T. Robinson (D-AR) |
| 71st Congress (1929-1931) | James E. Watson (R-IN)[5] | Joseph T. Robinson (D-AR) |
| 72th Congress (1931-1933) | James E. Watson (R-IN) [6] | Joseph T. Robinson (D-AR) |
| 73rd Congress (1933-1935) | Joseph T. Robinson (D-AR) | Charles L. McNary (R-OR)[7] |
| 74th Congress (1935-1937) | Joseph T. Robinson (D-AR) | Charles L. McNary (R-OR) |
| 75th Congress (1937-1939) | Joseph T. Robinson (D-AR) Alben Barkley (D-KY)[8] |
Charles L. McNary (R-OR) |
| 76th Congress (1939-1941) | Alben Barkley (D-KY) |
Charles L. McNary (R-OR)[9] |
| 77th Congress (1941-1943) | Alben Barkley (D-KY) |
Charles L. McNary (R-OR) |
| 78th Congress (1943-1945) | Alben Barkley (D-KY) |
Wallace H. White, Jr. (R-ME)[10] |
| 79th Congress (1945-1947) | Alben Barkley (D-KY) |
Wallace H. White, Jr. (R-ME) |
| 80th Congress (1947-1949) | Wallace H. White, Jr. (R-ME) |
Alben Barkley (D-KY)[11] |
| 81th Congress (1949-1951) | Scott W. Lucas (D-IL)[12] | Kenneth S. Wherry (R-NE) |
| 82nd Congress (1951-1953)[13] | Ernest W. McFarland (D-AZ) | Kenneth S. Wherry (R-NE) Styles Bridges (R-NH) |
| 83rd Congress (1953-1955)[14] | Robert A. Taft (R-OH); William F. Knowland (R-CA) |
Lyndon B. Johnson (D-TX) |
| 84th Congress (1955-1957) | Lyndon B. Johnson (D-TX) | William F. Knowland (R-CA) |
| 85th Congress (1957-1959) | Lyndon B. Johnson (D-TX) | William F. Knowland (R-CA)[15] |
| 86th Congress (1959-1961) | Lyndon B. Johnson (D-TX)[16] | Everett M. Dirksen (R-IL) |
| 87th Congress (1961-1963) | Mike Mansfield (D-MT)[17] | Everett M. Dirksen (R-IL) |
| 88th Congress (1963-1965) | Mike Mansfield (D-MT) | Everett M. Dirksen (R-IL) |
| 89th Congress (1965-1967) | Mike Mansfield (D-MT) | Everett M. Dirksen (R-IL) |
| 90th Congress (1967-1969) | Mike Mansfield (D-MT) | Everett M. Dirksen (R-IL) |
| 91th Congress (1969-1971) | Mike Mansfield (D-MT) | Everett M. Dirksen (R-IL) Hugh D. Scott, Jr. (R-PA)[18] |
| 92nd Congress (1971-1973) | Mike Mansfield (D-MT) | Hugh D. Scott, Jr. (R-PA) |
| 93rd Congress (1973-1975) | Mike Mansfield (D-MT) | Hugh D. Scott, Jr. (R-PA) |
| 94th Congress (1975-1977)[19] | Mike Mansfield (D-MT) | Hugh D. Scott, Jr. (R-PA) |
| 95th Congress (1977-1979)[20] | Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) | Howard H. Baker, Jr. (R-TN) |
| 96th Congress (1979-1981) | Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) | Howard H. Baker, Jr. (R-TN) |
| 97th Congress (1981-1983) | Howard H. Baker, Jr. (R-TN) | Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) |
| 98th Congress (1983-1985) | Howard H. Baker, Jr. (R-TN)[21] | Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) |
| 99th Congress (1985-1987) | Robert Dole (R-KS)[22] | Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) |
| 100th Congress (1987-1989) | Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)[23] | Robert Dole (R-KS) |
| 101st Congress (1989-1991) | George J. Mitchell (D-ME)[24] | Robert Dole (R-KS) |
| 102nd Congress (1991-1993) | George J. Mitchell (D-ME) | Robert Dole (R-KS) |
| 103rd Congress (1993-1995) | George J. Mitchell (D-ME)[25] | Robert Dole (R-KS) |
| 104th Congress (1995-1997)[26] | Robert Dole (R-KS) | Thomas A. Daschle (D-SD) |
| 105th Congress (1997-1999) | Trent Lott (R-MS) | Thomas A. Daschle (D-SD) |
| 106th Congress (1999-2001) | Trent Lott (R-MS) | Thomas A. Daschle (D-SD) |
| 107th Congress (2001-2003)[27] | Thomas A. Daschle (D-SD) | Trent Lott (R-MS) |
| 108th Congress (2003-2005) | William H. Frist (R-TN) | Thomas A. Daschle (D-SD)[28] |
| 109th Congress (2005-2007) | William H. Frist (R-TN)[29] | Harry M. Reid (D-NV) |
| 110th Congress (2007-2009) | Harry M. Reid (D-NV) | Mitch McConnell (R-KY) |
| 111th Congress (2009-2011) | Harry M. Reid (D-NV) | Mitch McConnell (R-KY) |
| 112th Congress (2011-2013) | Harry M. Reid (D-NV) | Mitch McConnell (R-KY) |
| 113th Congress (2013-2015) | Harry M. Reid (D-NV) | Mitch McConnell (R-KY) |
| 114th Congress (2015-2017) | Mitch McConnell (R-KY) | Harry M. Reid (D-NV)[30] |
| 115th Congress (2017-2019) | Mitch McConnell (R-KY) | Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) |
1 Oscar W. Underwood became the first elected party leader on April 27, 1920. There was no elected Republican floor leader prior to 1925. During the 66th Congress, Henry Cabot Lodge (R-MA) was the party conference chairman and served as an unofficial party leader.
2 Henry Cabot Lodge (R-MA) continued to serve as unofficial Republican leader.
3 Henry Cabot Lodge (R-MA) died on November 9, 1924. Charles Curtis was elected Republican floor leader on March 5, 1925. The Democratic party elected Joseph T. Robinson as floor leader on December 3, 1923.
4 Charles Curtis resigned his Senate seat on March 3, 1929, having been elected vice president of the United States.
5 James E. Watson was elected Republican leader on March 5, 1929.
6 James E. Watson lost his reelection bin in 1932 and left office on March 3, 1933.
7 Charles L. McNary was reelected Republican leader on March 7, 1933.
8 Joseph T. Robinson died on July 14, 1937. Alben Barkley was elected Democratic leader on July 22, 1937.
9 In 1940, at the request of Senator McNary, Senator Warren R. Austin (R-VT) served as acting leader.
10 Although Charles McNary continued to be officially listed as minority leader until his death on February 25, 1944, Wallace H. White, Jr. served as acting leader during McNary's illness and was elected Republican leader on January 4, 1945. He retired from the Senate on January 3, 1949.
11 Alben Barkley resigned his Senate seat on January 19, 1949, having been elected vice president of the United States.
12 Scott W. Lucas was elected Democratic leader on December 31, 1948, to be in effect on January 20, 1949. Lucas lost his bid for reelection in 1950 and left office on January 3, 1951. Kenneth W. Wherry was elected Republican leader on January 3, 1949.
13 Ernest W. McFarland was elected Democratic leader on January 2, 1951. He lost his bid for reelection in 1952, and left office on January 3, 1953. Kenneth Wherry died on November 29, 1951. Styles Bridges was elected Republican leader on January 8, 1952. He chose not to continue as party leader in the 83rd Congress, instead of becoming president pro tempore and chair of the Committee on Appropriations.
14 Robert Taft was elected Republican leader on January 2, 1953. He died the following July 31. William Knowland was elected Republican leader on August 4, 1953. Lyndon Johnson was elected Democratic leader on January 2, 1953. William Knowland was the youngest majority leader in Senate history, having been elected to the position at the age of 45 years old. Johnson was the youngest Democratic floor leader.
15 William Knowland retired from the Senate at the end of the 85th Congress.
16 Lyndon Johnson resigned his Senate seat on January 3, 1961, having been elected vice president of the United States. Everett Dirksen was elected Republican leader on January 7, 1959.
17 Mike Mansfield was elected Democratic leader on January 3, 1961, and served until January 3, 1977, making him the longest-serving majority leader in Senate history.
18 Everett Dirksen died on September 7, 1969. Hugh Scott was elected Republican leader on September 24, 1969.
19 Mike Mansfield and Hugh Scott both retired from the Senate at the end of the 94th Congress.
20 Robert C. Byrd was elected Democratic leader on January 4, 1977. Howard H. Baker, Jr., was elected Republican leader on January 4, 1977.
21 Howard Baker Retired from the Senate at the end of the 98th Congress.
22 Robert Dole was elected Republican leader on November 28, 1984, effective January 3, 1985.
23 Robert Byrd resigned as majority leader to become chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations in the 101st Congress and was elected president pro tempore on January 3, 1989.
24 George Mitchell was elected Democratic leader on November 29, 1988, effective January 3, 1989.
25 George Mitchell retired from the Senate at the end of the 103rd Congress.
26 On December 22, 1995, Senator Robert Dole broke Charles McNary's record as longest-serving Republican leader, having served since January 3, 1985, ten years, eleven months and nine days. Dole resigned from the Senate on June 11, 1996, to devote time to his presidential campaign. Trent Lott was elected Republican leader on June 12, 1996. Thomas Daschle was elected Democratic leader on December 2, 1994.
27 From January 3 to January 20, 2001, with the Senate divided evenly between the two parties, the Democrats held the majority due to the deciding vote of outgoing Democratic Vice President Al Gore. Senator Thomas A. Daschle served as majority leader at that time. Beginning on January 20, 2001, Republican Vice President Richard Cheney held the deciding vote, giving the majority to the Republicans. Senator Trent Lott resumed his position as majority leader on that date. On May 24, 2001, Senator James Jeffords of Vermont announced his switch from Republican to Independent status, effective June 6, 2001. He announced that he would caucus with the Democrats, giving the party a one-seat advantage and changing control of the Senate back to the Democrats. Thomas A. Daschle again became majority leader on June 6, 2001. Trent Lott announced on December 20, 2002, that he would not continue as Republican leader in the 108th Congress. William Frist was elected Republican leader on December 23, 2002 and began service on January 7, 2003.
28 Senator Thomas Daschle lost his reelection bid on November 2, 2004, and retired from the Senate on January 3, 2005. Democratic Whip Harry M. Reid was elected to the post for the 109th Congress.
29 Senator William Frist retired from the Senate on January 3, 2007. Republican Whip Mitch McConnell was elected to the post of Republican Leader on November 15, 2006, for the 110th Congress.
30 Senator Harry Reid retired from the Senate on January 3, 2017. Democratic Conference Committee Vice Chair and Policy Committee Chair Charles E. Schumer was elected to the post of Democratic Leader on November 16, 2006, for the 115th Congress.
(those serving as party leader for six years or longer)
Mike Mansfield (D-MT) – 16 years
Senate Service: 1953-1977
Party Leader: 1961-1977
Majority Leader: 1961-1977
Minority Leader: None.
Joseph T. Robinson (D-AR) – 14 years
Senate Service: 1913-1937
Party Leader: 1923-1937
Majority Leader: 1933-1937
Minority Leader: 1923-1933
Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) – 12 years
Senate Service: 1959-2010
Party Leader: 1977-1989
Majority Leader: 1977-1981; 1987-1989
Minority Leader: 1981-1987
Alben Barkley (D-KY) – 12 years
Senate Service: 1927-1949; 1955-1956
Party Leader: 1937-1949
Majority Leader: 1937-1947
Minority Leader: 1947-1949
Harry M. Reid (D-NV) – 12 years
Senate Service: 1987-2017
Party Leader: 2005-2017
Majority Leader: 2007-2015
Minority Leader: 2005-2007; 2015-2017
Robert Dole (R-KS) –11 years
Senate Service: 1969-1996
Party Leader: 1985-1996
Majority Leader: 1985-1987; 1995-1996
Minority Leader: 1987-1995
Charles McNary (R-OR) – 11 years
Senate Service: 1917-1944
Party Leader: 1933-1944
Majority Leader: None.
Minority Leader: 1933-1944
Mitch McConnell (R-KY) – 10 years
Senate Service: 1985-present
Party Leader: 2007-present
Majority Leader: 2015-present
Minority Leader: 2007-2015
Everett M. Dirksen (R-IL) – 10 years
Senate Service: 1951-1969
Party Leader: 1959-1969
Majority Leader: None.
Minority Leader: 1959-1969
Thomas Daschle (D-SD) – 10 years
Senate Service: 1987-2005
Party Leader: 1995-2005
Majority Leader: 2001-2003
Minority Leader: 1995-2001; 2003-2005
Howard Baker, Jr. (R-TN) – 8 years
Senate Service: 1967-1985
Party Leader: 1977-1985
Majority Leader: 1981-1985
Minority Leader: 1977-1981
Lyndon B. Johnson (D-TX) – 8 years
Senate Service: 1949-1961
Party Leader: 1953-1961
Majority Leader: 1955-1961
Minority Leader: 1953-1955
Hugh Scott, Jr. (R-PA) – 8 years
Senate Service: 1959-1977
Party Leader: 1969-1977
Majority Leader: None.
Minority Leader: 1969-1977
Trent Lott (R-MS) – 6.5 years
Senate Service: 1989-2007
Party Leader: 1996-2003
Majority Leader: 1996-2001
Minority Leader: 2001-2003
George J. Mitchell (D-ME) – 6 years
Senate Service: 1980-1995
Party Leader: 1989-1995
Majority Leader: 1989-1995
Minority Leader: None.
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Sources:
U.S. Congress. Senate. Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate, by Floyd M. Riddick, S. Doc 100-29, 100th Congress, 2d session, 1988.
Byrd, Robert C. The Senate, 1789-1989: Addresses on the History of the United States Senate. Volume II (Washington: U.S. GPO, 1991).
Baker, Richard A. and Roger H. Davidson, eds. First Among Equals: Outstanding Senate Leaders of the Twentieth Century (Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1991).
U.S. Congress. Senate. Minutes of the Senate Republican Conference: Sixty-second Congress through Eighty-eighth Congress, 1911-1964, edited by Wendy Wolff and Donald A. Ritchie. Washington: GPO, 1999, Senate Document 105-19.
U.S. Congress. Senate. Minutes of the Senate Democratic Conference: Fifty-eighth through Eighty-eighth Congresses, 1903-1964, edited by Donald A. Ritchie. Washington, GPO, 1999. Senate Document 105-20.
Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
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