The Selection Of The President Pro Tempore of the US Senate

 

Non-members can apply to the US Senate if they are interested in those positions as President Pro Tempore and other officers provided that candidate is not a participant in any branch of government. They also have to meet other Constitutional Requirements.

Any candidate worthy of a vote by the Senate has to first receive at least 25% of Yay votes in the roll-call. The vote-worthy eligible candidates contest for each office. The candidate who receives the highest number of votes cast by the members of the Senate either becomes or remains the officers of the Senate.

These U.S. Senate officers do not have the authority to cast votes on legislation. This is important so these officers are not compromised in their responsibilities since they will not have a direct stake in the legislation. 

These Senate Officers are chosen by the House only when the President Of The Senate(Vice-President Of The United States) is absent. The President pro tempore of the Senate becomes the Acting Vice-President(President of the US Senate). The new President pro tempore is selected by the US Senate. 

Cliff Notes Version: Non-members of the US Senate should be chosen as officers of that legislative body. The President Pro Tempore of the US Senate can become either Active VP or Active President, depending on the situation.

Senate officers, chosen by the Senate, are only chosen and only exist during the absence of the Vice-President. 

The Senate is much more powerful and federal now than it was when the US Constitution was written. This is another reason why non-members should be chosen as officers, mainly the President pro tempore.