What does the speaker of the house do?
The speaker is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives. The Louisiana Constitution requires the House of Representatives, each time a new legislature convenes, to choose one of its own members to serve as speaker. As presiding officer, the speaker maintains order during floor debate, recognizing legislators who wish to speak and ruling on procedural matters. The constitution also requires the speaker to sign all bills and joint resolutions passed by the legislature. As a member of the House of Representatives, the speaker may vote on all questions before the House. The other duties and responsibilities of the speaker are determined by the members of the House in the House Rules of Procedure, which are adopted by a majority vote of the members at the beginning of each regular session of the legislature. The members give the speaker the authority to appoint the membership of each standing committee, subject to rules on seniority, and to designate the chair and vice chair fo
– Leads the appointment process for the chairs of the various committees and subcommittees in the House, including conference committees which negotiate final versions of legislation – Sets the legislative agenda – Presides over debate, recognizing members to speak on the floor, and preserving order, or delegating that power to another member of Contress – Calls the House to order – Administers the oath of office to House members (and who better to do THAT than someone who really understands what that oath means!
What the Speaker is SUPPOSED to do is preside over the House, set the calendar for introduction of legislation, debate and votes and perform general administrative duties. In the current case, his job is to act as a lapdog for the Administration, insuring that there is no oversight, limiting the introduction of any legislation not to the Administrations liking and frustrating open debate.
