In January, Iowa US Senator Chuck Grassley will probably become the third in line to the presidency. This week, Senate republicans nominated him to be Senate pro tem.
Grassley says to qualify, you have to have been around for a "long, long time." Compared to Strom Thurmond and Robert Byrd who served as Senate pro tem while in their 90s, he's younger at 85.
And Grassley will have a few new things to get used to, such as being guarded around the clock by the Secret Service or Capital Police.
If elected to the position after the new Congress is sworn in, Grassley will be the second Iowan to serve as President pro tem in the Senate. One-hundred years ago, Albert Cummins served as Senate pro tem for about six years (1919-1925). See the pdf below for details about the responsibilities of the Senate pro tem.
In addition, Senator Grassley has announced his intention to give up the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee to become chair of the Finance Committee.
Pro Tem in the Senate Research by Michelle O'Neill on Scribd
