What Does the Speaker of the House Do?
The Speaker of the House, or “Speaker,” is one of the most important roles in the United States government. As the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives, the Speaker is tasked with managing and regulating the legislative agenda, roughly speaking, of the House. In addition, the Speaker also serves as a leader within the House, including offering opinions on the issues of the day, and acting as a liaison between the House and other government entities. Knowing what the Speaker of the House does helps us better understand the workings of the United States government and how the Speaker’s role fits into its overall functioning.
Overview of the Speaker of the House
The Speaker of the House is one of the highest offices in the United States. As an elected leader, the Speaker is second in line for the U.S. presidency, behind only the Vice President. The Speaker is chosen by a vote of the U.S. House of Representatives and must be a sitting congressional member to be elected to the office. The Speaker is elected for a two-year term which may be renewed as long as he or she receives a majority vote from the House.
The Speaker is the head of the U.S. House of Representatives and is responsible for presiding over the House Floor. The Speaker also serves as a spokesperson for the House and is the House’s representative to the public, the media and other governing bodies. Unlike the U.S. President, the Speaker does not have veto power over the House, but instead his or her influence comes in presiding over the House floor and in providing leadership and guidance in the House’s decision making.
Duties of the Speaker of the House
The Speaker of the House plays a crucial role in managing and regulating the legislative proceedings of the House. These duties can be broken down into four general areas:
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Presiding Over the House Floor: As the presiding officer of the House floor, the Speaker is responsible for calling out the start of business, recognizing members to speak, presenting questions for vote and announcing the results. He or she also has the power to appoint members to committees and is responsible for keeping order at all times. If a vote fails to reach the necessary majority, the Speaker may serve as the tie-breaking vote.
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Setting the Legislative Agenda: The Speaker is also responsible for setting the agenda for the House and deciding which bills and amendments will receive priority consideration. The Speaker can also use his or her influence to push for certain bills or amendments to be considered.
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Representing the House: The Speaker also serves as a spokesperson for the views of the House and acts as a messenger between the House and other government entities, including the Senate, other legislative bodies and the President. The Speaker can pass announcements between the House and other entities, such as the President’s State of the Union address.
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Leading the House: Finally, the Speaker is responsible for maintaining a sense of unity and harmony within the House. He or she chairs meetings of the House leadership, helps to form consensus around important bills and drafts legislation. The Speaker also raises public awareness of the work of the House and promotes the House’s legislative initiatives.
Recent Speakers of the House
The following is a list of recent Speakers of the House:
• Nancy Pelosi (2007–2011)
• John Boehner (2011–2015)
• Paul Ryan (2015–2019)
• Nancy Pelosi (2019–Present)
The Speaker of the House is a powerful and influential figure in the United States government. As the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives and its representative to the public, the Speaker plays a critical role in helping to manage the legislative agenda of the House. The Speaker is responsible for preside over the House floor and setting legislative priorities, while also acting as a liaison between the House and other government entities. Understanding the role of the Speaker helps us to better understand how the U.S. government works and the Speaker’s influence within it.
