House Republican Leadership Elections

Frequently asked questions about the leadership of the House of Representatives.

What is The House Leadership?

The Constitution established leadership positions in the House of Representatives. Article I, Section 2, Clause 5 of the Constitution states that the "The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers..."

The Speaker is the top leadership post in the House and a powerful political position. The entire House elects the Speaker. The Speaker sets the House's schedule, decides which bills will be introduced, and chooses committee chairmen. The position is almost always won by a member of the majority party, but the Speaker is not required to belong to a party or even be a member of the House. Pursuant to the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, the Speaker is third in line for the presidency.

Who are the House Leaders?

The Speaker is considered the leader of the whole House and the leader of the members of his party in the House. Each party also elects its own leaders in addition to the Speaker. The Minority Leader is the top leadership position of the minority party.

The following are current leadership posts in the House. Some of the positions listed here have deputies and assistants to help them with their leadership duties:

Speaker of the House: Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.)

Majority Leader:  Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio.)

Majority Whip: Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.); House Republican Conference Committee Chairman: Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio)

House Republican Policy Committee Chairman: . Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.)

House Republican Conference Secretary: Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.)

Democratic Leader (also known as the Minority Leader): Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)

Democratic Whip: Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.)

Democratic Caucus Chairman: Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.)