ranking member

1. A legislator on a committee who belongs to the majority party and, by virtue of seniority, ranks first after the committee chairman. The most senior member representing the minority party is the ranking minority member of the committee.

Example Sentences

He reportedly has been associating with a high-ranking member of the Yamaguchi-gumi who is also on the US black list.

From The Daily Beast

"The ranking member and I do not take this action lightly," Lucas said at the hearing.

From The Daily Beast

With Frank as his ranking member, recalls Oxley, “there was a lot of bipartisan cooperation back then.”

From The Daily Beast

His duties should be performed by the secretary of state, who is always the ranking member of the cabinet.

From Project Gutenberg