From Ballotpedia

Jump to: navigation, search

The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the presiding officer elected by the members of the U.S. Firm.

The Speaker receives a higher bacon than other members of Congress, earning $223,500 per year.[ane]

Current speaker

The current speaker is Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat who represents California's twelfth Congressional Commune.

The part was established in 1789 by Article I, Department ii of the United States Constitution.


United States Constitution, Article I Section two:

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers...


The Constitution does not crave that the speaker be an elected member of Congress, but no non-member has ever been elected to the role.[two]

Elections

When a Congress convenes for the first fourth dimension, each major political party conference or caucus nominates a candidate for Speaker. Members customarily elect the Speaker by roll call vote. A fellow member usually votes for the candidate from his or her own political party briefing or conclave but can vote for anyone, whether that person has been nominated or not.[two]

To exist elected, a candidate must receive an accented majority of the votes cast—which may exist less than a majority of the full Firm because of vacancies, absentee members, or members who vote "present." If no candidate receives the majority of votes, the scroll call is repeated until a majority is reached and the Speaker is elected.[2]

Duties

The Speaker performs a number of functions, including:[2]

  • Presides over the House
  • Administers the Oath of Office to Business firm Members
  • Communicates with the President of the United States and the U.S. Senate
  • Leads his or her political party conference or conclave
  • Chairs his or her political party'south steering committee, which is involved in the choice of party members for standing committees
  • Nominates chairs and members of the Committee on Rules and the Committee on House Assistants.


The Speaker also appoints:[2]

  • Speakers pro tempore
  • The chair who presides over the Committee of the Whole House on the land of the Spousal relationship
  • Members to House-Senate briefing committees
  • A Member to the Commission on the Upkeep
  • Select committees
  • Sure Business firm staff

The Speaker recognizes Members to speak on the Firm Flooring or brand motions during Flooring proceedings. The Speaker makes many important rulings and decisions in the Firm. The Speaker may debate or vote, only typically only occasionally does and then. The Speaker likewise serves as an ex officio member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

By statute, the Speaker is 2nd in line, afterwards the Vice President of the Us, to succeed the President.[2] [three]

See also

  • United States House of Representatives
  • United States Congress
  • Leadership positions in state legislatures

External links

  • House Leadership and Officers Information
  • Speaker of the House website
  • List of Speakers of the House 1789-Present
  • Speaker of the House facts
  • U.Southward. Business firm of Representatives website
  • The Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives website

Footnotes

  1. United states House of Representatives, "Business firm Press Gallery, Salaries" accessed February 15, 2013
  2. 2.0 ii.1 two.2 2.3 2.4 ii.five House of Representatives, "Member FAQ" accessed February 14, 2013
  3. Cornell Police: US Code, "Text of 3.19" accessed February xiv, 2013