Leadership

The majority party members and the minority party members meet separately to select their leaders. Third parties rarely have had enough members to elect their own leadership, and independents will generally join one of the larger party organizations to receive committee assignments. A party caucus or conference is the name given to a meeting of or organization of all party members in the House. During these meetings, party members discuss matters of concern.

Learn more about the history of House leadership.

Speaker of the House

Speaker Mike Johnson

Rep. Mike Johnson

Elected by the whole of the House of Representatives, the Speaker acts as leader of the House and combines several roles: the institutional role of presiding officer and administrative head of the House, the role of leader of the majority party in the House, and the representative role of an elected member of the House. The Speaker of the House is second in line to succeed the President, after the Vice President.

Republican Leadership

scaliseMajority Leader
Rep. Steve Scalise
Represents Republicans on the House floor.

emmerMajority Whip
Rep. Tom Emmer
Assists leadership in managing party's legislative program.

EliseRepublican Conference Chairman
Rep. Elise Stefanik
Heads organization of all Republican Party members in the House.

palmerRepublican Policy Committee Chairman
Rep. Gary Palmer
Heads Conference forum for policy development.

Democratic Leadership

jeffriesDemocratic Leader
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries
Represents Democrats on the House floor.

clarkDemocratic Whip
Rep. Katherine Clark
Assists leadership in managing party's legislative program.

aguilarDemocratic Caucus Chairman
Rep. Pete Aguilar
Heads organization of all Democratic Party members in the House.

clyburnAssistant Democratic Leader
Rep. James Clyburn
Assists the Democratic Leader.