By BrainFall Staff - Published: November 24, 2023
The speaker of the House of Representatives is one of the most important roles in the US Government. After the vice president, the house speaker is second in line to the presidency. Those who are elected as speakers must also work with representatives of both their party and the minority party to pass legislation that has a major impact on every American and many more people across the globe.
Such an appointment is a difficult undertaking, and some speakers have been unable to sustain their position. Others have governed efficiently and managed to remain in the role for a significant length of time. If you’re wondering which kind of speaker you would be, then take this quiz.
As the speaker is elected by house representatives, the position has always been held by someone who is a lawmaker of the majority party. Naturally, as the majority party is determined by a public vote, the house majority leader changes somewhat frequently.
To date, there have been 22 speakers from the Democratic Party and 18 speakers from the Republican Party. Nineteen have been from parties that are no longer predominant in US politics, such as the Whig Party. All of the speakers that are the results of this quiz have held the position in the 21st Century. After all, who cares if they resemble Theodore Sedgwick, the sixth speaker of the house from 1799 to 1801?
Speaker of the House of Representatives
The federal government is dependent on the Speaker of the House to function. The speaker's role is much more than just standing in Congress and bringing bills to the House floor. They have to liaise between their party members, the president, and opposing party members to advance any kind of legislation. Government agencies cannot receive funding until the speaker gets bills passed.
Speakers also need to act in the public interest if they wish to maintain their position. The US House of Representatives is responsible for major initiatives that move America and the whole world in certain directions. To find out which direction you'd lead the country toward, take this quiz!