Senate Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D-HI) has died of respiratory ailments. He was 88, been representing Hawaii for 50 years short a month. Previously he was that state's first Congressman as the at-large district.

Two hours after the announcement of his passing, the Senate voted Patrick Leahy (D-VT) as the the new SPT as the now longest serving member of the Senate majority party. And now of course 4th in the Presidential succession line.