Final answer:
The leader of the opposition party in Congress is responsible for steering the legislative strategy of the minority party in either the House or Senate. This role includes opposing the majority party's agenda and maintaining party discipline through the assistance of the whip.
Step-by-step explanation:
Leader of the Opposition in Congress
The leader of the opposition party in Congress is a position held by the person who leads the minority party in one of the Congressional chambers - either the House of Representatives or the Senate. This individual is tasked with coordinating the legislative strategy for their party and serving as a counterbalance to the majority party's agenda. The current structure of Congress designates the minority leader as the primary opposition figure to the Speaker of the House, if we are discussing the House of Representatives, or to the majority leader in the Senate. The specific individual holding this position can change after elections or other shifts in party alignment within Congress, and it's important to note that independents, such as Senator Bernie Sanders, often caucus with one of the major parties due to practicality and shared ideology.
The opposition leadership also includes a whip, whose role is to ensure party discipline and secure the necessary votes when legislation is on the floor. Together, the minority leader and the whip form the core of the opposition's strategic and organizational efforts within their chamber of Congress.