seniority rule

noun

, U.S. Politics.

1. the custom in Congress providing for the assignment of a committee chairpersonship to that member of the majority party who has served on the committee the longest.

Example Sentences

I had to have, under the seniority rule of the service, a wooden man for its commander.

From Project Gutenberg

Both irregulars will then attain places of vast power unless the seniority rule is abrogated.

From Project Gutenberg