The Speaker of the House is the leader of the U.S. House of Representatives and is elected every two years by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Speaker has numerous duties and responsibilities by law and by the House rules. Some of the key responsibilities of the Speaker of the House include:

• Presiding over the House: The Speaker is responsible for maintaining order, managing proceedings, and governing the administration of the Houses business.

• Administering the oath of office: The Speaker is responsible for administering the oath of office to the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

• Giving Members permission to speak on the House floor: The Speaker designates Members to serve as Speaker pro tempore and gives Members permission to speak on the House floor.

• Counting and declaring all votes: The Speaker counts and declares all votes.

• Appointing Members to committees: The Speaker appoints Members to committees and assigns committee leadership.

• Sending bills to committees: The Speaker sends bills to committees.

• Signing bills and resolutions that pass in the House: The Speaker signs bills and resolutions that pass in the House.

• Determining the House legislative agenda: The Speaker determines which legislation is assigned to each committee and which legislation reaches the House floor for a vote.

• Chairing the majority partys steering committee in the House: The Speaker chairs the majority partys steering committee in the House and is responsible for ensuring that the House passes legislation supported by the majority party.

• Voting on legislation: As a member of the House, the Speaker is entitled to participate in debate and to vote. The Speaker may vote on any matter that comes before the House, and they are required to vote where their vote would be decisive or on matters of great importance, such as constitutional amendments or major legislation.

In addition to these responsibilities, the Speaker of the House is second in line, behind the Vice President, to become President should the President be unable to fulfill his or her duties.