President pro tempore facts for kids

A president pro tempore (say "pro TEM-por-ay") is a special leader in a group that makes laws, like a parliament or congress. The words pro tempore come from Latin and mean "for the time being."

This person steps in to lead the group when the main leader, like the Vice President or Speaker, is not there. It's like having a substitute teacher who takes charge when the regular teacher is away.

What is a President Pro Tempore?

A legislative body is a group of people chosen to make laws for a country or state. They meet regularly to discuss important issues and create rules that everyone must follow.

The president pro tempore makes sure that these meetings can always happen, even if the main leader is sick or busy. They lead the discussions, keep things organized, and make sure the rules are followed. This helps the lawmaking process continue smoothly without interruptions.

Where do we see this role?

This role is used in many places around the world. For example, in the United States Senate, there is a President pro tempore. This person is usually the most senior member of the majority party in the Senate. They are third in line to become president of the United States, after the Vice President and the Speaker of the House.

In Argentina, there is a similar role called the provisional president of the Argentine Senate. This person also steps in when the Vice President, who is usually the president of the Senate, is not available.

This important position helps ensure that governments can always keep working and making decisions for their people.