House Leadership
By Arielle Johnston
Speaker of the House
Job Description:
- decides which members to recognize first at the House Sessions
- appoints the members of some committees
- schedules bills for action
- refers bills to the proper House committee
- follows Vice President in the line of succession to the presidency
Current House Speaker:
John Boehner - REBULICAN
Majority Leader
Job Description
- help plan the party's legislative program
- steer important bills through the House
- make sure chairpersons of the many committes finish work on bills important to the party
- floor leader of their political party in the House
- elected by majority party
- party official, not house official
- power to schedule work in House
Current Majority Leader:
Eric Cantor - REPUBLICAN
Majority Whip
Job Description
- serve as assistant floor leaders in the House
- watch how majority-party members intend to vote on bills
- persuade them to vote as the party wishes
- to see that party members are present to vote
- power to schedule work in House
Current Majority Whip:
Kevin McCarthy - REPUBLICAN
Minority Leader
Job Description
- chief spokesman for his party in his chamber
- enforce party discipline on votes
- steer important bills through the House
- make sure chairpersons of the many committes finish work on bills important to the party
- elected by majority party
Current Minority Leader:
Nancy Pelosi - DEMOCRAT
Minority Whip
Job Description
- serve as assistant floor leaders in the House
- watch how majority-party members intend to vote on bills
- persuade them to vote as the party wishes
- to see that party members are present to vote
Current Minority Whip:
Mitch McConnell - DEMOCRAT