Officer At the start of each two-year session, the House elects a speaker who does not normally preside over debates but serves as the majority party's leader. In the Senate, the vice president is the ex officio president of the Senate. In addition, the Senate elects an officer called the president pro tempore. Pro tempore means for the time being and this office is usually held by the most senior member of the Senate's majority party and customarily keeps this position until there is a change in party control. Accordingly, the Senate does not necessarily elect a new president pro tempore at the beginning of a new Congress. In the House and Senate, the actual presiding officer is generally a junior member of the majority party who is appointed so that new members become acquainted with the rules of the chamber.
Officer At the start of each two-year session, the House elects a speaker who does not normally pre,side over debates but serves as the majority party's leader. In the Senate the vice president is the ex officio president of the Senate. In addition, the Senate elects an officer called the president pro tempore Pro tempore means for the time being and this office is usually held by the most senior mem.ber of the Senate's majority party and customarily keeps thi,s position until there is a change in party control. Accordingly the Senate does not necessarily elect a new president pro tempore at the beginning of a new Congress. In the House and Senate, the actual presiding officer is generally a junior member of the majority party who is appointed so that new members become acquainted with the rules of the chamber.