WHat is the term for the presiding officer of the senate?

Answer 1

The presiding officer of the Senate is just the presiding officer, and is not an office. The President pro tempore is an elected position, and it generally is the senior member of the majority party. The President pro tempore presides over the senate in the absence of the Vice President.

Answer 2

In the United States government, the presiding officer of the Senate is the Vice President of the United States, who holds the "chair" but is not permitted to cast a vote in the Senate, except to break a tie vote among the members. The members of the Senate also elect a President Pro Tempore ("for the time being") who presides when the Vice President is not in attendance.

(See Article 1 Section 3, United States Constitution)

The current President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate is Senator Daniel Inouye (commonly pronounced "in-no-way") of Hawaii.