Whip (politics)

In politics, a whip is a member of a political party in a legislature whose task is to ensure that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires. The term originated in the Parliament of the United Kingdom and derives from the "whipper-in" at a fox hunt. Whip is also used to mean the voting instructions issued to members by the Whip.

Whip in United States politics

Both houses of Congress, the House of Representatives and Senate, have majority and minority whips. They in turn have subordinate 'regional' whips.

Related Topics:
House of Representatives - Senate

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In the Senate, the Majority Whip is the second highest-ranking individual in the majority party (the party with the greater number of legislators in a legislative body), outranked only by the Majority Leader. However, in the House the Majority Whip is outranked by both the Majority Leader and the Speaker.

Related Topics:
Senate - Majority Leader - House - Speaker

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In both houses the Minority Whip is the second highest-ranking individual in the minority party (the party with the lesser number of legislators in a legislative body), outranked only by the Minority Leader.

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The current Senate Majority Whip is Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who reports to the current Senate Majority Leader, Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee.

Related Topics:
Senate Majority Whip - Mitch McConnell - Kentucky - Majority Leader - Bill Frist - Tennessee

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The current Senate Minority Whip is Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, who reports to the current Senate Minority Leader, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada.

Related Topics:
Senate Minority Whip - Richard Durbin - Illinois - Minority Leader - Harry Reid - Nevada

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The current House Majority Whip is Representative Roy Blunt of Missouri, who is also the acting House Majority Leader.

Related Topics:
House Majority Whip - Roy Blunt - Missouri - Majority Leader

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The current House Minority Whip in the House is Representative Steny Hoyer of Maryland, who reports to the current House Minority Leader, Representative Nancy Pelosi of California.

Related Topics:
House Minority Whip - Steny Hoyer - Maryland - Minority Leader - Nancy Pelosi - California

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