seniority rule

American  

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.

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Example Sentences

But the mayor and Best fiercely opposed officers layoffs, arguing they would take a long time to bargain with the Seattle Police Offices Guild and warning a seniority rule would result in newer officers, including officers of color, being let go.

From Seattle Times

The seniority rule, by which committee chairmanships went not to ability but to long service, favored mediocrity and second childhood.

From Project Gutenberg

And in any case the seniority rule will be severely tested in the Senate.

From Project Gutenberg

At the time, Mr. Bloomberg said the cuts would leave the city with no option but to lay off thousands of teachers, making the push to repeal the seniority rule all the more urgent for officials in his administration.

From New York Times

And the time for lobbying in Albany to repeal the seniority rule is long past.

From New York Times