Who presides over the Senate when the vice president is absent?
The president pro tempore presides over the Senate when the vice president is absent.
Short AnswerThe president pro tempore
Explanation
How Congress WorksArticle I, Section 3 lets the Senate choose a president pro tempore. By custom it is usually the most senior senator of the majority party, and other senators often take turns in the chair.
Source
- U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 3, Clause 5 ↗
The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.
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