senior senator
Longer-serving legislator
Senior senator refers to the longer-serving of a state's two United States senators.
Seniority is determined by length of continuous service, and when two senators began on the same day, by previous political experience or alphabetical order.
The designation affects committee assignments and office selection but carries no additional formal powers.
The senior senator from California spoke first at the hearing.
- juniorLower in standing
- legislatorElected maker of laws
- Capitol HillCongressional district and synecdoche
- capitolState legislative building
- committeeAppointed group for duties
committee chair · chairman · party leader · statesman · incumbent · tenure · term limits · sworn in · floor · filibuster · caucus · majority · minority · whip · chamber · aisle · dear colleague · colleague