After the president, is widely considered the second most powerful federal official in washington,
d. c

The second-most powerful position in Washington is in general the Speaker of the House. While the House of Representatives doesn't have the recommended role that the Senate does, it has somewhat particularly powerful: the power of the purse. When they don't act, government grinds to a stop. The Chief of Staff in the White House is powerful but the power lies in setting the President's schedule and controlling day-to-day functioning in the White House and the Cabinet. The Senate Majority Leader can begin or discontinue legislature, and has control of the Advice and Consent, but lacks the power of spending.