Senate Minority Leader
The Senate Minority Leader, more commonly referred to as the “Democratic Leader,” serves as the senior official for Senate Democrats and is selected by a vote of the Democratic Caucus. As leader of the minority party in the Senate, the Democratic Leader works with the Democratic Conference to set the Democratic agenda, message, and strategy. From time to time, the Democratic Leader appoints Democratic members to task forces and also has statutory responsibilities to fill positions on Commissions.
Website for the Senate Minority
Website for the Senate Democratic Leader: Senator Chuck Schumer
Senate Minority Whip
The Democratic Whip is the second ranking leadership position for the Senate Democrats. The Democratic Whip is selected by a vote of the Democratic Caucus. The responsibilities of the Democratic Whip principally consist of counting votes and persuading Members to support the Democratic Caucus’s position on votes.
Website for the Senate Minority Whip: Senator Dick Durbin
Website for the Senate Chief Deputy Minority Whip: Senator Jeff Merkley
Senate Assistant Democratic Leader
The responsibility of the Assistant Democratic Leader is to assist the Democratic Leader in the coordination of Senate Floor activities. The Assistant Democratic Leader is the third ranking leadership position for the Democratic party. The Assistant Democratic Leader is selected by a vote of the Democratic Caucus.
Website for the Assistant Democratic Leader: Senator Patty Murray
Senate Democratic Caucus Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary
The Senate Democratic Conference is the organizational vehicle for all Democratic Members of the Senate and their staff. The Minority Leader (or Majority Leader, when the Democrats are in the minority) is the ex officio Chairman of the Caucus. The leader is elected by a vote of all Senate Democrats. In addition to the Chair are the Vice Chairs and Caucus Secretary. The Conference hosts periodic meetings of Senate Democrats and is the primary vehicle for communicating the party’s message to Members.
Website for the Senate Democratic Caucus
Website for Democratic Caucus Chair: Senator Chuck Schumer
Website for Democratic Caucus Vice Chairs: Senator Mark Warner and Senator Elizabeth Warren
Website for the Caucus Secretary: Senator Tammy Baldwin
Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chair
The Senate Democratic Policy Committee (DPC) is the policy-making arm of the Senate Democrats. In the 110th Congress, this committee was reorganized and was given additional responsibilities, including the authority to conduct oversight investigations and hold public hearings focusing on government accountability.
Website for the Senate Democratic Policy Committee
Website for the Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair: Senator Debbie Stabenow
Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Chair
The Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee is responsible for building coalitions with Democrats at all levels of government, and with advocacy organizations in pursuit of the policy objectives of the Senate Democratic Conference. The Chair of the Democratic Steering and Coordination Committee is appointed by the Minority Leader.
Website for the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee
Website for the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Chair: Senator Amy Klobuchar
Website for the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee Vice Chair: Senator Jeanne Shaheen
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair
The Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) is appointed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. The Chair of the DSCC oversees the political committee of Senate Democrats which is not funded by tax dollars nor located in the Congressional complex. The Chair of the DSCC added by a Vice Chair is responsible for coordinating the efforts of Senate Democrats with a strategy to elect Democrats to the United States Senate.
Website for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Website for the DSCC Chair: Senator Gary Peters
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