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

The Speaker receives a higher bacon than other members of Congress, earning $223,500 per twelvemonth.[1]

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, Section 2 of the United States Constitution.


United States Constitution, Article I Section ii:

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


The Constitution does not require that the speaker be an elected member of Congress, but no non-member has e'er been elected to the function.[2]

Elections

When a Congress convenes for the first fourth dimension, each major party briefing or caucus nominates a candidate for Speaker. Members customarily elect the Speaker by roll call vote. A fellow member ordinarily votes for the candidate from his or her ain political party conference or caucus but can vote for anyone, whether that person has been nominated or non.[two]

To be elected, a candidate must receive an absolute bulk of the votes cast—which may be less than a majority of the total Business firm because of vacancies, absentee members, or members who vote "present." If no candidate receives the majority of votes, the ringlet call is repeated until a bulk 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 Part to House Members
  • Communicates with the President of the United States and the U.Due south. Senate
  • Leads his or her party conference or caucus
  • Chairs his or her party's steering committee, which is involved in the pick of party members for standing committees
  • Nominates chairs and members of the Committee on Rules and the Committee on House Administration.


The Speaker also appoints:[2]

  • Speakers pro tempore
  • The chair who presides over the Commission of the Whole House on the country of the Marriage
  • Members to House-Senate conference committees
  • A Fellow member to the Committee on the Budget
  • Select committees
  • Sure House staff

The Speaker recognizes Members to speak on the House Floor or make motions during Floor proceedings. The Speaker makes many important rulings and decisions in the House. The Speaker may debate or vote, but typically simply occasionally does so. The Speaker also serves equally an ex officio fellow member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Past statute, the Speaker is second in line, afterwards the Vice President of the Usa, to succeed the President.[two] [3]

See besides

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

External links

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

Footnotes

  1. U.s.a. Firm of Representatives, "Business firm Press Gallery, Salaries" accessed February xv, 2013
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.ii two.3 2.4 2.5 House of Representatives, "Member FAQ" accessed February 14, 2013
  3. Cornell Constabulary: Us Code, "Text of three.19" accessed Feb 14, 2013