Reinventing the House: How Republicans Choose a New Speaker

The United States House of Representatives is among the most powerful and influential legislative bodies in the world. Its members are elected by citizens of the fifty states and the District of Columbia for two-year terms and they have the paramount duty of making laws that will guide the governance of the nation. The House of Representatives is also responsible for making sure that the U.S. government is held accountable for its actions. For the House of Representatives to successfully fulfill its mission, it needs to choose from within itself, a Speaker of the House. This is an important role within the House, as it is the Speaker who presides over the daily activities of the House and also serves as a liaison between the House and the President. The Speaker of the House is elected by the members of the House of Representatives and the position is held for a four-year term. All current and former Speakers of the House have been representatives from the Republican Party. However, with the conclusion of the December 2020 election, the Democrats are now in the majority and so they must choose their own Speaker of the House. The process for selecting a Speaker can be complex and depends on the political ideology of the party that holds the majority. First, in caucuses conducted by each party, representatives will debate and select a candidate for Speaker of the House that best reflects the will of the party. After selection, the designated candidate will then have to go through a formal floor vote by the House of Representatives. Before the floor vote, a debate will ensue and members of the House will debate and discuss the merits of the chosen candidate. Following the debate, a majority of members must vote ‘yes’ on the chosen candidate in order for the candidate to be elected as the Speaker of the House. Considering the current landscape, the Democrats now have the majority in the House of Representatives and hence, the Republicans must select their own candidate for Speaker of the House. The process of selecting a Speaker offers an incredible opportunity to enact the political policies of the Republican party while taking into account the preferences of its constituents. In summary, selecting a Speaker of the House requires intense deliberation and collaboration between opposing parties. It is a key part of the cycle of democracy and an essential responsibility of the House of Representatives. With many complex and differing opinions, the House of Representatives must come together to select a Speaker within their ranks that best serves the needs of the party, the citizens of the nation, and the ideals of democracy.