Here’s an overview of the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives as of November 2025: who holds the position, and what powers & responsibilities it has.
Who is the Speaker (Nov 2025)
- The current Speaker is Mike Johnson (Republican, representing Louisiana’s 4th District). (Wikipedia)
- He was first elected speaker on October 25, 2023, after Kevin McCarthy was removed. (Wikipedia)
- He was re‐elected in the new Congress in January 2025. (AP News)
Key Powers & Responsibilities
The Speaker is one of the most powerful positions in the U.S. government. Here are the major powers and functions:
- Presiding Officer of the House
The Speaker presides over sessions of the House of Representatives — managing debates, recognizing Members who wish to speak, maintaining order in the chamber. (Encyclopedia Britannica) - Setting the Legislative Agenda
• Determines what legislation comes up for debate and vote in the House. (Encyclopedia Britannica)
• Influences which bills are considered and which are not.
• Controls or influences the scheduling of bills via powers like assigning bills to committees. (Encyclopedia Britannica) - Committee Appointments
The Speaker appoints members to select committees, conference committees, sometimes chairs of important committees. (Encyclopedia Britannica) - Administrative and Procedural Powers
• Administers the oath of office to new House Members. (Encyclopedia Britannica)
• Interprets and enforces the House rules of procedure. (Encyclopedia Britannica)
• Maintains order, can decide points of order during debates. (Encyclopedia Britannica) - Second in Presidential Succession
If both the President and Vice President die, resign, or are otherwise unable to serve, the Speaker is next in line (after the Vice President). (Encyclopedia Britannica) - Party Leadership Role
Beyond formal powers, the Speaker is the de facto leader of the majority party in the House. This involves strategy, negotiating with the Senate & the President, working to pass the party’s agenda, coalition‐building—even appeasing factions within their own party. Mike Johnson’s own election and remaining in office involve maneuvering among different wings of the Republican party. (Wikipedia)