Here are the definitions and current officeholders or related events for the terms you provided:
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Senate Majority Leader
- Definition: The elected leader of the majority party in the Senate, responsible for scheduling legislation, managing debate, and coordinating party activities.
- Current Officeholder: Chuck Schumer (as of October 2023).
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Senate Minority Leader
- Definition: The elected leader of the minority party in the Senate, responsible for representing the interests of the minority party and opposing the majority.
- Current Officeholder: Mitch McConnell (as of October 2023).
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President Pro Tempore of the Senate
- Definition: A senior member of the majority party who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.
- Current Officeholder: Patty Murray (as of October 2023).
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Speaker of the House
- Definition: The elected leader of the House of Representatives, responsible for guiding legislation and managing floor proceedings.
- Current Officeholder: Mike Johnson (as of October 2023).
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House Majority Leader
- Definition: The leader of the majority party in the House, tasked with scheduling legislation and coordinating party strategy.
- Current Officeholder: Steve Scalise (as of October 2023).
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House Minority Leader
- Definition: The leader of the minority party in the House, responsible for representing the party's interests and strategies against the majority.
- Current Officeholder: Hakeem Jeffries (as of October 2023).
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House Majority Whip
- Definition: An official in the House responsible for party discipline and ensuring that members vote according to party lines.
- Current Officeholder: Tom Emmer (as of October 2023).
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House Minority Whip
- Definition: An official in the House responsible for party discipline for the minority party and tracking votes.
- Current Officeholder: Katherine Clark (as of October 2023).
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Senate Majority Whip
- Definition: An elected party official in the Senate responsible for mobilizing votes and ensuring party members are present for votes.
- Current Officeholder: Dick Durbin (as of October 2023).
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Senate Minority Whip
- Definition: An elected party official in the Senate responsible for mobilizing votes and maintaining discipline among minority party members.
- Current Officeholder: John Barrasso (as of October 2023).
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Filibuster
- Definition: A procedural tactic in the Senate that allows one or more senators to delay or block legislative action by extending debate.
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Cloture
- Definition: A Senate procedure used to end a filibuster, requiring a minimum of 60 votes to limit debate and bring a bill to a vote.
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Discharge petition
- Definition: A mechanism in the House of Representatives that allows members to bring a bill out of committee and onto the floor for consideration, requiring a majority vote.
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Rider
- Definition: An additional provision added to a bill that is typically unrelated to the main content of the bill, often used to pass controversial measures.
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Committee hearing
- Definition: A session in which legislative committees gather information, gather testimony, and discuss a bill or issue.
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Floor debate
- Definition: The discussion that takes place on the floor of the House or Senate regarding a bill before voting occurs.
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Conference committee
- Definition: A temporary joint committee formed to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill before it is sent to the President for approval.
These definitions and officeholders are accurate as of October 2023. Please verify any changes that may have occurred after this date.
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