Trivia: What is the second-highest-ranking Senate position?
Majority leader
Chair of policy
President pro tempore
Majority whip
The correct answer is President pro tempore
So why is this answer correct? : A major duty of the president pro tempore is presiding over the Senate in case the Vice President — the chamber’s highest-ranking officer — cannot attend. In addition to filling in for the VP, the president pro tempore makes appointments to various national commissions and advisory boards, among other duties. Since the mid-20th century, the role has gone to the majority party’s most senior member.