Wikipedia
In United States politics, a ranking member is the second-most senior member of a congressional or state legislative committee from the majority party.
Another usage refers to the most senior member of a congressional or state legislative committee from the minority party. This second usage, often used by the media, should properly be referred to as the ranking minority member. On many committees the ranking minority member, along with the chairman, serve as ex officio members of all of the committee's subcommittees.
When party control of a legislative chamber changes, a committee's ranking minority member is likely, though not assured, to become the next chairman of the committee, and vice versa.
Usage examples of "ranking member".
Thus he had secured status for Melee, for the daughter of the chief was by definition a ranking member of the tribe, and residence for Bata, because she was blood kin to Melee.
And who, I ask you, is both head of the shipping guild and a ranking member of the council?
Calling the Assistant Commandant, the second highest ranking member of the Confederation Marine Corps, by his first name would take some getting used to.
Fidel and every high-ranking member of his government will be on hand for the speechmaking.
Chase, as the highest-ranking member of the Cabinet, I think it might be useful for you to tell the senators just how we run our shop.
Should I assume that one reason Allen Summervale sent the second ranking member of his Government and the Admiralty's senior serving officer out here was to explain to myself—.
His brother-in-law was Adam Damakos, the Liberal MP who was the ranking member of the Naval Affairs Committee of the House of Commons, but he was also the cousin of Akahito Fitzpatrick, the Duke of Gray Water, one of Baron High Ridge's closest allies in the Conservative Association.
Should I assume that one reason Allen Summervale sent the second ranking member of his Government and the Admiraltys senior serving officer out here was to explain to myselfand possibly the Protectorjust why that is?