seniority, n.All

Seniority (n.) in ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠Congress has given way to purchase: powerful posts once earned by service are now bought, which pushes members deeper into donors' pockets.