senatorial courtesy

(noun)

an unwritten political custom (or constitutional convention) in the United States whereby the president consults the senior U.S. Senator of his political party of a given state before nominating any person to a federal vacancy within that Senator's state

Related Terms

Examples of senatorial courtesy in the following topics:

  • Expressed Powers

    • When nominating judges to U.S. district courts, presidents often respect the long-standing tradition of Senatorial courtesy.

  • The Senate

    • In Federalist No. 62, James Madison justified this arrangement by arguing that the "senatorial trust" called for a "greater extent of information and stability of character. "

  • Eligibility of Congressmen

    • In Federalist No. 62, James Madison justified this arrangement by arguing that the "senatorial trust" called for a "greater extent of information and stability of character. "

  • The Electoral College

    • Each state is awarded the same number of electoral votes as the number of its Representatives, plus two votes to match its Senatorial count.

  • National Security Policy

    • Government courtesy of the US Patriot Act of 2001. " The PATRIOT Act is an example of the tension between protecting national security and promoting citizen's rights.