Question: who is the top ranking member in the senate
Answer: Republican R ( 51 ) Democratic D ( 47 ) Independent I ( 2 ) Current rank Historical rank Senator party - state Seniority date First tie - breaker Second tie - breaker Committee and leadership positions 1692 Patrick Leahy D -- Vermont January 3 , 1975 Ranking Member : Appropriations President pro tempore emeritus 1708 Orrin Hatch R -- Utah January 3 , 1977 President pro tempore Chair : Finance 1745 Chuck Grassley R -- Iowa January 3 , 1981 Chair : Judiciary 1766 Mitch McConnell R -- Kentucky January 3 , 1985 Majority Leader 5 1775 Richard Shelby R -- Alabama January 3 , 1987 Chair : Appropriations 6 1801 Dianne Feinstein D -- California November 4 , 1992 Ranking Member : Judiciary 7 1810 Patty Murray D -- Washington January