Profiles, US Senate

Vice President Richard Cheney is the President of the Senate. He served in the Nixon, Ford and Bush 41 administrations. In 2000, George Bush picked him as his running mate; they were re-elected in 2004. As President of the Senate, Cheney casts a vote in the event of a tie. Official Bio

Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WVA) is the President Pro Temp of the Senate and the longest-serving member of the US Senate, having been elected in 1958. He is third in line to succeed the President, following the Vice President and the Speaker of the House. Official Bio

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) was first elected to the Senate in 1986. The senior senator from Nevada, he was elected majority leader in the 110th Congress after Democrats regained control in the 2006 election. From 1999-2006, he was either Minority or Majority Whip, the number two leadership position in the party. Official Bio

As Minority Whip in the 110th Congress, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is the is the 15th Republican to hold this position. He served as Majority Whip in the 108th and 109th Congresses. McConnell was elected to the Senate in 1984 and is the senior Senator from Kentucky. Official Bio

Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) is the Assistant Majority Leader, also known as Majority Whip. The senior Senator from Illinois, Durbin holds the second highest party leadership position in the Senate. He was elected to the Senate in 1996. Official Bio

Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) is the Assistant Minority Leader, also known as Minority Whip. The senior Senator from Mississippi, Lott served as either Majority or Minority Leader from 1996 to December 2002; he resigned in 2002 over controversial remarks made at the retirement dinner for Sen. Strom Thurmond. Republicans elected (24-23) him to this number two position in November 2006 over his rival, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN). Official Bio