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president pro tempore

American  
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

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She has been the Virginia Senate’s president pro tempore since 2020.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

The president pro tempore of the Senate, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, is 91, and third in line for succession to the presidency.

From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2025

Women, for the first time in the Legislature, are serving as president pro tempore in the Senate and as speaker of the House.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 13, 2023

The president laid out his rationale for the strikes in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, and Sen. Patty Murray, Washington Democrat and Senate president pro tempore.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 29, 2023

The president pro tempore of the Senate receives the same while serving as president of the Senate.

From Studies in Civics by J. T. (James Thompson) McCleary

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