Party leaders of the United States Senate

They serve as chief spokespersons for their respective political parties, holding the majority and the minority in the chamber.

By Senate precedent, the presiding officer gives the majority leader priority in obtaining recognition to speak on the floor.

The majority leader serves as the chief representative of their party in the Senate and is considered the most powerful member of the chamber.

[1] The assistant leaders, or whips, are Senators John Barrasso (R) of Wyoming and Dick Durbin (D) of Illinois.

At first a Senate leader was an informal position usually an influential committee chairman, or a person of great eloquence, seniority, or wealth, such as Daniel Webster and Nelson Aldrich.

Robinson switched his own position on a drought relief program for farmers when Hoover made a proposal for a more modest measure.

Alben Barkley called Robinson's cave-in "the most humiliating spectacle that could be brought about in an intelligent legislative body."

With the addition of this rule, the Senate majority leader enjoyed far greater control over the agenda of which bills to be considered on the floor.