Directions: Use the www.house.gov and www.senate.gov websites to identify the leaders below. You can use your text and online resources
to come up with answers for the 3rd column.
th
House of Representatives Leadership- 114 Congress
Leadership Position
Speaker of the House
Current Leader (Name, Party
Affiliation, From What State?)
Paul Ryan
R- Wisconsin
How Selected/Roles and Responsibilities












Chosen by majority party.
Chief presiding officer (constitutionally) of the House.
Decides whom to recognize to speak on the floor.
Rules on germaneness of motions.
Decides which committee bills go.
Schedules bills for action.
Appoints members of special and select committees.
Has some patronage power.
Chosen by majority party members.
Assists Speaker/Plans party’s legislative program.
Steers important bills through the House.
Party leader.
House Majority Leader
Kevin McCarthy
R- California
House Majority Whip
Steve Scalise
R-Louisiana




Selected by majority party members.
Assists party majority leader.
Keeps close watch on how majority members intend to vote.
Attempts to influence voting.
House Minority Leader
Nancy Pelosi
D-California



Selected by minority party members.
Party leader. Performs similar tasks to House Majority Leader.
Has no power over scheduling work in the House
House Minority Whip
Steny Hoyer
D-Maryland



Selected by minority party members.
Assists party minority leader.
Performs same tasks as House Majority Whip.
Senate Leadership- 114th Congress
Leadership Position
President of the Senate
Current Leader (Name, Party Affiliation,
From What State?)
Joe Biden
D- Vice President
President Pro-Tempore
Orrin Hatch
R-Utah
Senate Majority Leader
Mitch McConnell
R- Kentucky
Senate Majority Whip
John Cornyn
R- Texas
Senate Minority Leader
Harry Reid
D- Nevada
Senate Minority Whip
Richard Durbin
D- Illinois
How Selected/Roles and Responsibilities




Elected in general presidential election.
Chief presiding officer (constitutionally) of the Senate.
Cannot participate in floor debate.
Casts vote only in case of tie.






Chosen by majority party; often most senior member.
Presides over Senate in absence of vice-president.
Chosen by majority party.
Majority party leader in Senate.
Steers party’s bills through Senate.
Plans Senate’s work schedule in consultation with Minority
Leader.
Makes sure majority members attend important sessions.
Chosen by majority party.
Assists Majority Leader.
Rounds up members for key votes.
Chosen by minority party.
Minority party leader.
Develops criticism of bills from majority party.
Consults with Majority Leader re: Senate’s work schedule.
Tries to keep members working together.
Chosen by minority party.
Assists Minority Leader.
Rounds up members for key votes.











