The House Speaker is the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives (not to be confused with the House Majority Leader).

He or she has a dual role as both the leader of his or her party in the House, and as the presiding officer in the chamber, with responsibility for controlling debate and setting the legislative agenda.

Under the terms of the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, the speaker is the second in line to the presidency after the Vice-President.