The majority party members and the minority party members meet separately to select their leaders. Third parties rarely have had enough members to elect their own leadership, and independents will generally join one of the larger party organizations to receive committee assignments. A party caucus or conference is the name given to a meeting of or organization of all party members in the House. During these meetings, party members discuss matters of concern.
Speaker of the House
Rep. Paul D. Ryan
Elected by the whole of the House of Representatives, the Speaker acts as leader of the House and combines several roles: the institutional role of presiding officer and administrative head of the House, the role of leader of the majority party in the House, and the representative role of an elected member of the House. The Speaker of the House is second in line to succeed the President, after the Vice President.
Republican Leadership
Majority Leader
Rep. Kevin McCarthy
Represents Republicans on the House floor.
Majority Whip
Rep. Steve Scalise
Assists leadership in managing party's legislative program.
Republican Conference Chairman
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Heads organization of all Republican Party members in the House.
Republican Policy Committee Chairman
Rep. Luke Messer
Heads Conference forum for policy development.
Democratic Leadership
Democratic Leader
Rep. Nancy Pelosi
Represents Democrats on the House floor.
Democratic Whip
Rep. Steny Hoyer
Assists leadership in managing party's legislative program.
Assistant Democratic Leader
Rep. James Clyburn
Works with caucuses and as liaison to Appropriations Committee.
Democratic Caucus Chairman
Rep. Joseph Crowley
Heads organization of all Democratic Party members in the House.