Members of the Senate belonging to the two major political parties are organized into party conferences. The conferences (also referred to as caucuses) and their leaders play an important role in the daily functions of the Senate, including setting legislative agendas, organizing committees, and determining how action proceeds on the Senate floor. When senators represent third parties (examples include the Populist Party of the 1890s and the Farmer-Labor Party of the mid-to-late 20th century) or serve as Independents, they typically work within the two established party conferences to gain committee assignments or manage legislation.
Party leadership emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when both party conferences in the Senate elected leaders to speak for their members, coordinate action on the Senate floor, and work with the executive branch on policy priorities when in the same party as the president. To address their members' political and policy goals, the parties created steering committees, campaign committees, and policy committees. By the 21st century, senators of both party conferences granted their leaders a great deal of control over the Senate's agenda. Beginning in the 2010s, both party conferences began to expand and change their leadership positions, roles, and rankings.
For the current roster of Senate leadership go to Leadership & Officers.
Use the dropdown list below to see historical leadership positions.
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