As a member of Congress, Mr. Coelho became the third-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives.

Representative David E. Bonior of Michigan, the majority whip and third-ranking Democrat, also opposes the deal.

Mr. Robles is the Council's majority whip, the third-ranking Democrat.

Mr. Menendez is now the third-ranking Democrat in the House.

Representative David E. Bonior of Michigan, the third-ranking Democrat in the House, said the issue was as simple as "which side are you on?"

Here, the third-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives is simply the Rev. Bill Gray.

Stabenow became the third-ranking Democrat in the U.S. Senate on November 16, 2004, when she was elected to be secretary of the Democratic caucus.

The son of Cuban immigrants, he has steadily risen through the political ranks, becoming the third-ranking Democrat in the House.

As one of the country's leading Hispanic politicians and the third-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, he is a major attraction on the party's speaking circuit.

Mr. Bonior, the third-ranking Democrat, has emerged as the agreement's most senior Democratic opponent.