Patty Murray in line to be first female Senate president pro tempore

The Seattle Times is reporting Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will nominate the Senate President Pro Tempore position to Washington Senator Patty Murray, which would make her the first woman to ever hold that title.

“I am honored to have earned the confidence of Leader Schumer and my colleagues to serve as President Pro Tempore. It’s not lost on me the significance of what it would mean to be the first woman to serve in this role. I have a great deal of respect for the Senate and the good I am able to accomplish for families in Washington state as a voice and vote for them,” Murray said in a prepared statement. “I care deeply about the work we do here in Congress and how that work can help the friends and neighbors I grew up with and the constituents I represent — I look forward to the opportunity to serve our country in this position.”

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The position is third in line to the presidency, behind the Vice President and House Speaker, with its primary responsibility to watch over the Senate in the vice president’s absence.

The title of Senate President Pro Tempore is usually assigned to the majority party’s senior legislator. But California Senator Dianne Feinstein is not seeking the position.

The current Senate President Pro Tempore, Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, is retiring after his term ends in January.

KIRO Newsradio has contacted Senator Murray’s office and is waiting to hear if she will accept the nomination.