If something happens to the president, the vice president takes over. But what happens if something happens to the president and the vice president? Do you know who is next in line to be president?
If you said the Speaker of the House of Representatives, you are correct! The Speaker of the House of Representatives is second in line to be president. The House speaker has many other duties, as well. The House speaker leads the House of Representatives. This is one of the two chambers in Congress. Congress is the legislative branch of government. The House speaker makes big decisions about how laws are passed.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives is elected every two years. Each party nominates a candidate. Usually, the person nominated by the majority party becomes House speaker. The House speaker does not have to be a member of the House of Representatives. However, every speaker so far has been.
Over the years, there have been 55 House speakers. The first Speaker of the House of Representatives was Frederick Muhlenberg. In 2007, Nancy Pelosi became the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives. On October 25, 2023, the House of Representatives elected a new Speaker. His name is Mike Johnson.
What Do You Think? Which duties of the Speaker of the House of Representatives seem most important to you? Why?
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