Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, your big brain, the information provided and any links below:
With 35 seats still undecided, the incoming 120th Congress will consist of a House of Representatives of 247 Democrats and 153 Republicans. With two seats undecided, the Senate will consist of 54 Democrats and 44 Republicans. The Democratic party will pick the leaders of each chamber. According to the visual above who was the longest serving Speaker of the House?
According to the visual above how long has Mike Johnson been Speaker of the House?
The Constitution doesn't specify that the speaker of the House must be a current member of the House, but it always has been, according to the office of the House historian. Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution says only this, “The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers;” Last year, Texas Rep. Troy Nehls said on social media that he will nominate former President Donald Trump for speaker. According to the Constitution, could Trump become Speaker of the House? Could you? Could Zendaya?
The Speaker is second in line, behind the Vice President, to become President should the President be unable to fulfill his or her duties. Why do you think the Framers gave that power to the Speaker of the House?
The Speaker of the House is considered the most powerful person in Congress. Besides being the leader of the majority party, the Speaker of the House is responsible for administering the oath of office to the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, giving Members permission to speak on the House floor, counting and declaring all votes, appointing Members to committees, sending bills to committees, and signing bills and resolutions that pass in the House. Explain which of the powers of the Speaker is the most important.
After the bruising midterm election defeat for Republicans, House Speaker Mike Johnson does not plan to stay on as Republican leader in the new Congress. Johnson's decision will open a role for the top House leadership position in the minority. Republicans are scheduled to hold their leadership elections on Nov. 10. Voters and pundits have roundly blamed the historically huge Republican defeat in the midterm election on President Trump. Do you think the next leader Republicans pick will be closely aligned with Donald Trump?
Unlike the U.S. Senate—where the Vice President can cast a tie-breaking vote—the U.S. House has no tie-breaking mechanism. The Speaker of the House is a regular member of the House, votes just like any other representative, and does not have a special tie-breaking vote. How does the Speaker ensure that there are not many bills that do not pass the House?
The Democrats crushed the Republicans in the 2026 midterm election. Democrats are divided into roughly two groups: moderates and progressives. When the Democrats pick a Speaker to lead their party, do you think they should pick a more moderate or a more progressive leader?
After helping to deliver a decisive victory for House Democrats in the midterm elections, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., appears all but certain to become the first Black lawmaker to be elected speaker of the House. Jeffries was elected House minority leader in 2022 and is the first Black politician to lead either party in the House or Senate. Why do you think it has taken so long for a Black Politician to become Speaker?
Some of the biggest congressional checks on the U.S. president include the "power of the purse," the Senate's advice and consent authority (approval of nominees), veto overrides, legislative oversight, and the power of impeachment. After their historic midterm victory, Democrats will regain majority power in both houses of Congress in 2027. How will that allow them to check the power of the President?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Contact your member of Congress and tell them what you think they should do in the remainder of their term in office.
Get Creative
Imagine that you were asked to be Speaker of the House. What is the first thing you would do with your new power?
Learn More*
Learn more about the Speaker of the House.
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