NRCC Policy Primer: What would you say you do here?…A briefer on House Leadership Positions
Speaker, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, something about someone whipping people? Maybe you’ve heard of all these terms but don’t know exactly what they mean. Maybe you know they are the leadership positions of the House, but don’t know who currently holds them or what these people do.
At the beginning of each two-year Congressional term, newly elected members of the House of Representatives meet to organize and select their leaders. The Republicans call their internal House party organization the “Republican Conference” while Democrats call their party organization the “Democratic Caucus.” Both parties hold organizational meetings in which their members elect their own leadership, adopt internal rules for how their party will operate, and draft their version of the institutional rules for the House. Those rules packages and the party nominations for Speaker of the House are then voted on by the full congress.
Let’s go through the House leadership positions of both parties…and let’s link to funny pictures for the Democrats:
Speaker of the House
The position of Speaker is established in the U.S. Constitution and is the most senior officer of the House of Representatives (and the third in line for the Presidency). Institutionally, the Speaker holds broad-ranging powers and presides over debate in the House, makes rulings on points of order, has priority right of recognition on the floor, and sets the agenda by deciding what legislation comes before the House. In addition, the Speaker appoints task forces and commissions, and oversees the management of support functions to the House. Finally, by modern practice, the Speaker serves as the primary spokesperson for his or her congressional party.
The Current Speaker of the House is John Boehner.
Learn more about the history of the Speaker from the House Clerk.
House Majority Leader
The Majority Leader, the second-most senior official in the House, and is by recent practice the day-to-day manager of business on the House Floor.
The Current House Majority Leader is Eric Cantor.
Learn more about the history of the Majority Leader from the House Clerk.
House Majority Whip
The responsibilities of the Majority Whip include persuading members to support the majority party position on votes and projecting support for the party. The Majority Whip is assisted by a network of members assigned to count votes and “whip” or convince their colleagues into supporting their party’s legislative position.
The Current House Majority Whip is Kevin McCarthy.
Learn more about the history of the Majority Whip from the House Clerk.
Chair, House Republican Conference
The House Republican Conference is the organizational vehicle for all Republican members of the House and their staff. The Conference hosts regular meetings of House Republicans and is the primary vehicle for communicating the party’s message to members. The House Republican Conference has a chair who directs day-to-day operations of the Conference office and staff and is assisted by an elected vice chairman and a Secretary.
The Current House Republican Conference Chair is Cathy McMorris Rogers.
Learn more about the history of the Republican Conference Chair from the House Clerk.
Chair, House Republican Policy Committee
The Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee assists all House leaders and committee chairmen in designing, developing and executing policy ideas within the Congress.
The Current House Republican Policy Committee Chair is James Lankford.
Chair, National Republican Congressional Committee
Hey, that’s you guys right?
Yep, you got it.
The Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) oversees the political committee of House Republicans which is not funded by tax dollars nor located in the Congressional complex.
The Current Chairman of the NRCC is Greg Walden. You are on our website right now, FYSA.
House Minority Leader
The Minority Leader serves as the senior most official for the minority party. As leader of the minority party in the House, the Minority Leader works with the minority party to set their party agenda, message, and strategy. From time to time, the Minority Leader appoints minority members to task forces and also has statutory responsibilities to fill positions on commissions.
The Current House Minority Leader is Nancy Pelosi. She sits on the floor incredibly close to the T.V. and is also gaffe prone: http://thingsnancypelosiactuallysaid.com/
Learn more about the history of the House Minority Leader from the House Clerk.
House Minority Whip
The responsibilities of the Minority Whip are counting votes and persuading members to support the minority party position on votes.
The Current House Minority Whip is Steny Hoyer. And here is a picture of House Republican Whip, Kevin McCarthy, showing Steny how to use a camera phone, because technology is hard, you guys.
Learn more about the history of the Democratic Whip from the House Clerk.
Assistant Democratic Leader
Frankly, this is a brand new position created to massage egos within the Democratic Party.
The Current Assistant Democratic Leader is James Clyburn. He is not amused.
House Democratic Caucus Chair
The House Democratic Caucus serves all Democratic members of the House and their staff. The Caucus is the primary vehicle for communicating the party’s message to members. The House Democratic Caucus has a chair who directs day-to-day operations of the Caucus.
The Current House Democratic Caucus Chair is Xavier Becerra. He gives epic bro hugs to President Obama.
Learn more about the history of the Democratic Caucus Chair from the House Clerk.
Chair, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
The Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) oversees the political committee of House Democrats which is not funded by tax dollars nor located in the Congressional complex.
The Current Chairman of the DCCC is Steve Israel. And here’s an awkward picture of Steve Israel smiling as his ear is caressed by an unknown woman taking a cell phone picture of him…with Steny Hoyer possibly picking his nose in the background.
Nope, I have no explanation.