The majority leader is clearly considered to be the most powerful senator today. This perception is based on their ability to make motions to proceed to legislation and nominations and to fill the so-called amendment tree (i.e. offer the maximum allowable number of amendments to legislation to block senators from offering their own amendments). Both are based on their ability to be recognized first by the Senate’s Presiding Officer. But the leader’s preferential recognition and, by extension, their ability to make motions to proceed to bills and nominees and their ability to fill the amendment tree, are grounded only in precedent. And the leader’s power in these areas is perpetuated simply by senators’ continued deference to the majority leader to wield them however they choose.
