Speaker of the House Salary, Career, How to Become, and Income Per Year Info

The speaker of the House is one of the most powerful and influential positions in the US government. The speaker presides over the House of Representatives, sets the legislative agenda, appoints committee members, and acts as the spokesperson for the majority party. But how much does the speaker of the House earn, and what are the requirements and challenges of becoming one? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, based on the latest information available in 2023.

How Much Does the Speaker of the House Earn?

According to the Congressional Research Service, the speaker of the House receives an annual salary of $223,500, which is higher than any other member of Congress. The speaker also receives a number of benefits and allowances, such as a large office suite in the Capitol building, a staff of about 18 people, a car and driver, security protection, travel expenses, and access to high-level intelligence briefings as part of the Gang of Eight

The speaker’s salary is set by law and cannot be changed during a term of Congress. The speaker’s salary is also subject to income tax and other deductions. The speaker does not receive any additional compensation for serving on any committees or commissions.

How to Become the Speaker of the House?

The speaker of the House is elected by the full House membership at the beginning of each new Congress, usually in January. The speaker does not have to be an elected member of the House, but this has never happened in US history. The speaker is usually chosen by the majority party, which has more votes than any other party in the House. The speaker can be challenged by any member of the House, but this is rare and usually unsuccessful.

The speaker can serve for an unlimited number of terms, as long as they are reelected by their constituents and their party. However, some speakers have voluntarily retired or resigned from their position due to personal or political reasons. The current speaker of the House as of 2023 is Patrick McHenry, a Republican from North Carolina, who was appointed as an interim speaker after Kevin McCarthy was ousted by a motion to vacate in October 2023. McHenry will serve until a new speaker is elected by the House.

What are the Challenges and Responsibilities of Being the Speaker of the House?

Being the speaker of the House is not an easy job. The speaker has to balance multiple roles and responsibilities, such as:

• Leading and uniting their party in pursuing a legislative agenda and advancing their policy goals.
• Managing and overseeing the business on the floor and navigating legislative rules and procedures.
• Communicating and negotiating with other political actors, such as the president, the Senate, and interest groups.
• Representing and serving their constituents and district.
• Maintaining public trust and confidence in their leadership and integrity.

The speaker also faces many challenges and pressures, such as:

• Dealing with a diverse and divided House membership, which may have different opinions, preferences, and ideologies.
• Facing opposition and criticism from the minority party, which may try to obstruct or undermine their agenda.
• Handling complex and controversial issues, such as immigration, health care, budget, national security, etc.
• Coping with changing political dynamics and public opinion, which may affect their popularity and support.
• Resolving conflicts and crises that may arise within or outside the House.

Conclusion

The speaker of the House is a prestigious and influential position in the US government. The speaker earns a high salary and enjoys many benefits and privileges. However, the speaker also has to meet many requirements and face many challenges in fulfilling their duties. The speaker plays a vital role in shaping the direction and outcome of US politics and policy.

Most Asked Questions and Answers

Who is Patrick McHenry?

Patrick McHenry is an American politician who serves as a Republican member of the US House of Representatives from North Carolina’s 10th congressional district since 2005. He is also the interim speaker of the House since October 2023, after Kevin McCarthy was removed from his role by a motion to vacate.

Why was Kevin McCarthy ousted as speaker?

Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker by a motion to vacate on October 3rd 2023, after he worked with some Democrats to pass a last-minute funding bill that avoided a government shutdown. This angered some hard-right members of his party, such as Matt Gaetz, who accused him of betraying his party’s principles and interests.

How long can Patrick McHenry serve as interim speaker?

Patrick McHenry can serve as interim speaker until a new speaker is elected by the full House membership. This can happen at any time during a term of Congress, but it usually happens at the beginning of a new Congress in January.

Who are the other candidates for speaker?

There are no official candidates for speaker yet, but some potential contenders include:

• Steve Scalise, the Republican whip and the second-ranking member of the House Republican leadership.
• Liz Cheney, the chair of the House Republican Conference and the third-ranking member of the House Republican leadership.
• Jim Jordan, the founder and former chair of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative and libertarian members of the House.
• Nancy Pelosi, the former speaker of the House and the current leader of the House Democratic Caucus.

How is the speaker different from the majority leader?

The speaker is the leader of the majority party in the House and the presiding officer of the House. The speaker sets the legislative agenda, appoints committee members, and acts as the spokesperson for their party. The majority leader is the second-ranking member of the majority party in the House and the floor leader of their party. The majority leader assists the speaker in managing the business on the floor and coordinating with other parties and chambers.

What is the role of the minority leader?

The minority leader is the leader of the minority party in the House and the chief opposition to the speaker and their party. The minority leader organizes and mobilizes their party members, challenges and criticizes the majority party’s agenda, and offers alternative policies and solutions.

What are some of the powers and duties of the speaker?

Some of the powers and duties of the speaker include:

• Presiding over the House sessions and maintaining order and decorum.
• Recognizing members to speak or make motions on the floor.
• Referring bills and resolutions to appropriate committees.
• Appointing members to select, joint, and conference committees.
• Signing bills, resolutions, subpoenas, and other documents passed by the House.
• Casting a vote in case of a tie or to affect the outcome.
• Representing the House in relations with other branches and bodies of government.

What are some of the benefits and perks of being speaker? Some of the benefits and perks of being speaker include:

• A higher salary than other members of Congress ($223,500 vs $174,000).
• A large office suite in the Capitol building with a staff of about 18 people.
• A car and driver for official transportation.
• Security protection by the Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies.
• Travel expenses for official trips within or outside the country.
• Access to high-level intelligence briefings as part of the Gang of Eight.

What are some of the challenges and difficulties of being speaker?

Some of the challenges and difficulties of being speaker include:

• Balancing multiple roles and responsibilities as a party leader, a floor manager, an administrator, a representative, and a public figure.
• Dealing with a diverse and divided House membership, which may have different opinions, preferences, and ideologies.
• Facing opposition and criticism from the minority party, which may try to obstruct or undermine their agenda.
• Handling complex and controversial issues, such as immigration, health care, budget, national security, etc.
• Coping with changing political dynamics and public opinion, which may affect their popularity and support.
• Resolving conflicts and crises that may arise within or outside the House.

Who was the first speaker of the House?

The first speaker of the House was Frederick Muhlenberg, a Federalist from Pennsylvania, who was elected on April 1st 1789. He served until March 4th 1791. He was also elected again as speaker for a second term from December 2nd 1793 to March 4th 1795.