Question

The role of the president pro tempore of the Senate is
?

Answer 1

The president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate is the highest-ranking elected member of the chamber but the second-highest ranking officer of the chamber. The president pro tempore presides over the chamber in the absence of the vice president, who is the highest-ranking officer in Congress' upper chamber. The current president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate is Republican Orrin Hatch of Utah.

Writes the Senate Historical Office:

"Election of a senator to the office of president pro tempore has always been considered one of the highest honors offered to a senator by the Senate as a body. That honor has been bestowed upon a colorful and significant group of senators during the past two centuries — men who stamped their imprint on the office and on their times."

The term "pro tempore" is Latin for "for a time" or "for the time being." The powers of the president pro tempore are spelled out in the U.S. Constitution.

Answer 2

The president pro tempore is authorized to preside over the Senate, sign legislation, and issue the oath of office to new senators. For many years, the vice president routinely presided over the Senate, and presidents pro tempore were elected to serve only during the absence of the vice president.