Alan Frumin
Encyclopedia
Alan Frumin (ˈfruːmɨn; born 1946) is the Parliamentarian of the United States Senate
.
in Hamilton
, New York
and Georgetown University Law Center
, Frumin's entire career has been devoted to "directing parliamentary practice." He began in 1974 by editing Deschler's Precedents of the House of Representatives (a House procedures manual) before joining the Senate Parliamentarian's office in 1977.
He was appointed to the top job in 1987, when the Democratic party obtained a majority and control of the Senate, and Robert Dove
was dismissed. In 1995, the tables were turned when the Republican party obtained control of the Senate and dismissed Frumin to reappoint Dove. There was yet again a reversal in 2001; Dove was dismissed by the Majority Leader, Mississippi
Republican
Trent Lott
, to be replaced yet again by Frumin.
Frumin is the only Senate parliamentarian to be appointed to office by different parties.
Frumin began receiving significant media coverage and notice in his usually quiet role during the 2010 healthcare reform debate for the critical role he plays in determining the validity of the reconciliation
procedure being employed to apply changes desired by the House to portions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
passed by both houses.
In November of 2011, Frumin was included on The New Republic's list of Washington's most powerful, least famous people.
, New York
. He has one sister, Leslie. On February 15, 1981, he married Federal Trade Commission
lawyer Jill Meryl (née Brown); they have one daughter, Allison.
Parliamentarian of the United States Senate
The Parliamentarian of the United States Senate is the official advisor to the United States Senate on the interpretation of Standing Rules of the United States Senate and parliamentary procedure....
.
Career
A 1968 graduate of Colgate UniversityColgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
in Hamilton
Hamilton (village), New York
The Village of Hamilton is a village located within the town of Hamilton in Madison County, New York, USA.-Geography and climate:The village, located at , lies in the Chenango Valley, just south of the headwaters of the Chenango River. The village is approximately southeast of Syracuse and ...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center is the law school of Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1870, the Law Center offers J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. degrees in law...
, Frumin's entire career has been devoted to "directing parliamentary practice." He began in 1974 by editing Deschler's Precedents of the House of Representatives (a House procedures manual) before joining the Senate Parliamentarian's office in 1977.
He was appointed to the top job in 1987, when the Democratic party obtained a majority and control of the Senate, and Robert Dove
Robert Dove
Robert B. Dove is a former Parliamentarian of the United States Senate and a professor of political science at George Washington University.He joined the Parliamentarian's office in 1966...
was dismissed. In 1995, the tables were turned when the Republican party obtained control of the Senate and dismissed Frumin to reappoint Dove. There was yet again a reversal in 2001; Dove was dismissed by the Majority Leader, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Trent Lott
Trent Lott
Chester Trent Lott, Sr. , is a former United States Senator from Mississippi and has served in numerous leadership positions in the House of Representatives and the Senate....
, to be replaced yet again by Frumin.
Frumin is the only Senate parliamentarian to be appointed to office by different parties.
Frumin began receiving significant media coverage and notice in his usually quiet role during the 2010 healthcare reform debate for the critical role he plays in determining the validity of the reconciliation
Reconciliation (United States Congress)
Reconciliation is a legislative process of the United States Senate intended to allow consideration of a budget bill with debate limited to twenty hours under Senate Rules...
procedure being employed to apply changes desired by the House to portions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress...
passed by both houses.
In November of 2011, Frumin was included on The New Republic's list of Washington's most powerful, least famous people.
Family
Frumin was born December 26, 1946, to Harry H. and Nanette Frumin in New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He has one sister, Leslie. On February 15, 1981, he married Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
lawyer Jill Meryl (née Brown); they have one daughter, Allison.