[knzhou]

Senators are within the top 100 most powerful people in the US. They represent millions of people.

I think you're just grasping at straws because you've already decided what narrative you want. In which case there's nothing more for me to say here.

[seanmcdirmid]

Senators are from the legislative branch and have no executive power, however. Their power stems from what they can vote on, eg what justices they can confirm. China for all effective purposes lacks an independent judicial or legislative branch, so it is difficult to compare the two governments.

[masonic]

  Senators are within the top 100 most powerful people in the US. 

Since there are exactly 100 Senators, you place every Senator over the President, the Speaker of the House, House party leaders, and all Supreme Court justices. And Oprah.

[knzhou]

Okay, whatever, 150. This is an order of magnitude thing.