What is the role of the Speaker of the House?

The Speaker of the House is a crucial position in the United States House of Representatives. The Speaker is elected by the members of the House and is the presiding officer, responsible for overseeing the House's activities and maintaining order and decorum. The Speaker is also second in line to the presidency, after the Vice President of the United States.

One of the Speaker's most important duties is to set the legislative agenda for the House. They decide which bills are considered and in what order. The Speaker also assigns bills to the appropriate committees for further review and study.

As the leader of the majority party in the House, the Speaker has significant power and influence over the legislative process. They appoint members to the House Rules Committee, which sets the rules for debate on bills before they reach the House floor. The Speaker can also influence the selection of committee chairs and the makeup of committees themselves.

The Speaker also represents the House in dealings with the Senate, the President, and foreign dignitaries. They may travel overseas on official business and are responsible for leading the House's delegations to events like state funerals.