The Powers of the Speaker of the House

The Speaker is elected by the whole House but chosen by the majority caucus, and is second in line to the presidency. The Speaker refers bills to committees, effectively deciding their path, appoints committee chairs and majority members, controls the Rules Committee that structures floor debate, decides which amendments get votes, and leads the majority party.

Speakers like Henry Clay, Thomas Reed, Joe Cannon, and Sam Rayburn expanded the office at different moments. Reed ended the disappearing quorum in 1890; the 1910 revolt against Cannon pulled some powers back.

Today the office remains the single most powerful post in the chamber..