Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
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The Speaker of the House is a Member of Congress who serves as the leader of the United States House of Representatives
Constitutional Role
The position was created by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution. However it is vague on the particularities of the position, as it is on many other positions, leaving it up to the House to flesh it out. Our Founding Fathers created the position recognizing the need for a leader to run the House.
Selection
Traditionally the majority party has chosen the Speaker after the biannual Congressional Elections. If the majority party does not have its members vote for their candidate, a minority party member could become Speaker. However this has never occurred in the history of the Union.
Speakers
| Speaker | Term |
|---|---|
| John McCormack | (1961-1971) |
| Carl Bert Albert | (1971-1977) |
| Tip O' Neill | (1977-1987) |
| James Wright | (1987-1989) |
| Thomas Foley | (1989-1995) |
| Newt Gingrich | (1995-1999) |
| J. Dennis Hastert | (1999-2007) |
| Nancy Pelosi | (2007- ) |
