president pro tempore

or president pro tem

noun

, U.S. Government.

1. a senator, usually a senior member of the majority party, who is chosen to preside over the Senate in the absence of the vice president.

Example Sentences

McDougle is chairman of the chamber’s GOP caucus and Newman is the former president pro tempore.

From Washington Post

Or will he simply ascend to the President Pro Tempore slot—dignified, venerable, respected but ultimately powerless?

From The Daily Beast

Resolved, That the President pro tempore of the Senate, as a member, retain his right to vote upon all questions.

From Project Gutenberg

The President pro tempore: It is before the Senate if there be no objection.

From Project Gutenberg

The President pro tempore: The question is on the adoption of the resolution.

From Project Gutenberg

Give the names of the speaker and of the president pro tempore.

From Project Gutenberg

William H. Crawford, President pro tempore, resumed the chair.

From Project Gutenberg

More About President Pro Tempore

Who is a president pro tempore?

In the United States, the president pro tempore is an official who presides over the Senate if the vice president is absent or unable to preside.

The vice president presides over the US Senate on ceremonial occasions and when a tie-breaking vote is needed. In the vice president’s absence, a member of the Senate, called the president pro tempore, presides instead. 

President pro tempore is an elected position within the Senate, and similar positions have been established in other governments, such as those at the state and local levels in the United States. While the Senate votes for the president pro tempore, it has become tradition for the longest continually serving senator of the majority party to be elected to the position.

Although the president pro tempore rarely acts in a legislative manner, if the president and vice president are both removed from office, die, or are otherwise unable to perform their duties, the president pro tempore assumes the role of president. 

Example: The current president pro tempore has not needed to act in the absence of the vice president yet.

Where does president pro tempore come from?

The position of president pro tempore was created in 1788 when the US Constitution was ratified. Pro tempore is a Latin phrase meaning “temporarily” or “for the time being.” Literally, president pro tempore means “president for the time being.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to president pro tempore?

• president pro tem (noun)

What are some words that share a root or word element with president pro tempore? 

• president
• vice president
• pro tempore
• temporary

What are some words that often get used in discussing president pro tempore?

• absence
• majority
• preside
• Senate
• senator
• vice president

How is president pro tempore used in real life?

President pro tempore is used most often in discussions of the US government and politics.

NEW: Iowa Sen. Charles E. Grassley, the Senate president pro tempore, says he and not Vice President Mike Pence will preside over the certification of Electoral College votes, since "we don't expect him to be there."

— Roll Call (@rollcall) January 5, 2021

BREAKING: Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore just introduced a bill to fund students instead of systems.

— Corey A. DeAngelis, school choice evangelist (@DeAngelisCorey) January 20, 2022

Sen. Patrick Leahy, the 81-year-old president pro tempore of the Senate and the fifth longest-serving senator in history, is holding a presser tomorrow at 10am in Vermont. He had planned to make an announcement around this time of year about whether he will run for re-election

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) November 14, 2021

 

 

Try using president pro tempore!

True or False?

The president pro tempore of the US Senate is second in line for the presidency if the president can’t fulfill their duties.