I have wondered for years about the seating arrangements on the House and Senate floor. Does seniority determine who sits where? Auburn, Washington - 6/30/00

The House chamber. Democrats sit on the left side of the aisle; Republicans on the right side.

In the Senate it does, but not in the House. There is no assigned seating in the House chamber. Members sit wherever they wish on their party's side of the main aisle. When facing the Speaker's dais (the Rostrum), Democrats sit on the left side; Republicans on the right. The only reserved seats are those behind the committee tables, one located on each side of the floor. When a bill is pending on the floor, the majority and minority committee Members managing the bill use them. There is also a leadership table on each side of the floor, and the seats behind them are reserved for the respective party leadership.

The Senate floor. Democratic Senators occupy desks on the left side of the aisle; Republican Senators on the right.

In the Senate, Senators are assigned specific desks on their side of the main aisle. When facing the presiding officer, Democrats sit on the left side of the aisle; Republicans on the right. The practice of sitting on party sides of the main aisle dates back to approximately 1877. Desks are now shifted back and forth across the aisle to allow all the Senators of the same party to sit together.

Senators choose their desk location at the start of each new session in order of seniority. The first seat in the first row on either side of the aisle is reserved for the Majority and Minority Leader, respectively. Front row desks were once the most popular; however, Senators now no longer automatically seek them out. Since 1986, when the televising of Senate floor proceedings began, more Members have selected desk assignments with more favorable camera angles. Some Senators prefer locations of historical significance, or those located near the doors for an easier exit after a vote.

The desk in the back row on the Republican side of the aisle nearest the side door to the chamber is known as the "candy desk." The Senator who inherits it is expected to keep it stocked with candies for the benefit of his colleagues who reach into it for a treat when entering and exiting the chamber. The practice began around 1965, but there is disagreement about whether it originated with Senator Paul Fannin (R-AZ), who favored hard candies, or Senator George Murphy (R-CA), who gave away little boxes of raisins. Every Senator who has had the desk since complains about the expense of maintaining this tradition! Donations have been solicited from candy manufacturers to offset the cost, and Senators sometimes throw in a dollar or two to compensate the candy desk occupant for raiding his sugary stock. This sweet duty is now fulfilled by Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), the current tenant of the candy desk.

Many of the Senate's mahogany desks date back to 1819, part of the refurbishment of the Capitol after the British torched it in the War of 1812. There are certain traditions attached to some of the Senate desks. For example, Daniel Webster's desk is always reserved for the senior Senator from his native state -- New Hampshire. Jefferson Davis' desk is reserved for the senior Senator from Mississippi. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) was given his brother John's original desk when he served in the Senate.