The leader of the U.S. House of Representatives is called the Speaker of the House. The Speaker is elected by the entire House membership and serves as the presiding officer, administrative head, and leader of the majority party in the House. The Speaker has significant powers, including presiding over debates, making rulings on legislative matters, managing the legislative agenda, appointing members to committees, and is second in the presidential line of succession after the Vice President
. Currently, the Speaker is the central figure in the House, combining roles as the institutional leader and the majority party leader. The Speaker is addressed as "Mister Speaker" or "Madam Speaker" on the House floor and rarely participates in floor debates or votes except to break ties or on important issues
