Guide to Individuals Seated on the Senate Dais

Publication Date: July 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

Type:

Abstract:

The Senate meets in the Senate chamber of the Capitol. Seated at the head of the chamber on the top of a two-tiered platform/dais is the presiding officer. Members are assigned to one of the 100 desks that are arranged in a semicircle facing the presiding officer. The center aisle in the Senate chamber divides the political parties. Facing the presiding officer, Republicans sit to the right of the center aisle, Democrats to the left. Senior Members usually sit the closest to the dais and along the center aisle, although some choose other desks. Seated around the presiding officer are various officers and employees of the Senate who have defined roles, some of which are prescribed in Senate rules and others of which are derived from precedent. This fact sheet is one of a series on the legislative process. For more information on the legislative process, please see [http://www.crs.gov/products/guides/guidehome/shtml]. An illustration of the Senate chamber can be found on the Internet at [http://www.senate.gov/vtour/3high.htm].