Party leaders dominate today’s Senate because rank-and-file senators increasingly defer to them - not because the chamber’s rules require it. Senators accepted less influence over legislation in exchange for a more predictable schedule, fewer difficult votes, and less responsibility for making the Senate work.

A historical overview of how Senate Republican leadership has evolved over time.

A straightforward guide to the principal leadership positions in the Senate Republican conference and what each one does. It helps readers understand how party leadership operates behind the scenes.