Question: Who selects the President Pro Tempore of the Senate?

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. (US Constitution, Article I, Section 3, Clause 5)

Just as in the House the Senate is given the authority in the Constitution to select their own officers. One of these officers is the office of President Pro Tempore. This person serves in place of the Vice President of the United States when he is absent from the senate. This is not a legislative leadership. President Pro Tempore supervises the Senate and makes procedural rulings while in the chair. He may also appoint substitutes from the Senate to take his place. This has typically been younger members of the Senate.

Historically the President Pro Tempore was only elected when the Vice President was to be absent. It was not until 1890 that the Senate made a selection until they would choose to select someone else.

Other officers of the Senate include majority and minority leaders, Chaplain, Secretary of the Senate, Sergeant of Arms, Chief Clerk and Executive Clerk.