Sereno Elisha Payne (June 26, 1843 – December 10, 1914) was a United States representative from New York and the first House Majority Leader, holding the office from 1899 to 1911.

He was chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee for 12 years starting in 1899.

[1][2] Payne practiced law in Auburn, rising to become the Cayuga County district attorney from 1873 to 1879.

He was appointed a member of the American-British Joint High Commission in January 1899.

[3] Payne died of heart disease on December 10, 1914, at the Portland Hotel in Washington, D.C..