Its been a hot mess in the House all week, where Republicans keep publicly humiliating Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in his failed efforts to become the speaker.

But across the building, with little fanfare, the Senate quietly made history: It elected Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) to be its first female president pro tempore. The position represents the second-highest ranking in the Senate, after the vice president, and it puts this senator third in line to the presidency.

The role was established 234 years ago, and its been held by men until now.

It sounds funny, doesnt it? Im the first? Murray told HuffPost in a Tuesday interview. I mean, what happened for so many years?

Asked how it feels to be third in line to the presidency, the Washington Democrat quipped, Well, today Im second because Kevin McCarthys not speaker.