Who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President?

The President Pro-Tempore is the official who presides over the Senate when the Vice President is not present. This position is typically held by the senior member of the majority party and is largely ceremonial. The President Pro-Tempore has the authority to preside over sessions, maintain order, and manage the legislative process in the absence of the Vice President.

This role is crucial because it ensures that the Senate can still function smoothly even when the Vice President, who normally acts as the presiding officer, is unavailable. The President Pro-Tempore is elected by the Senate and has duties that vary from presiding over daily sessions to performing various administrative and procedural tasks.

In contrast, the Majority Leader primarily focuses on leading the majority party's agenda in the Senate and does not have the same authority to preside over sessions as the President Pro-Tempore. The Speaker of the House exclusively manages the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice primarily oversees the Supreme Court's proceedings. Therefore, the President Pro-Tempore is the correct answer, fitting the constitutional provisions and traditions governing the Senate's operation.