State House Majority Leader
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The majority leader of the lower chamber of a state legislature is in charge of the chamber's daily legislative operations. Depending on the state, the majority leader may preside over party caucuses, schedule daily legislative calendars, direct his or her party strategy, assemble party members for important votes, and serve as a party spokesperson.
The majority leader is often assisted in their role by whips, who work to enforce party discipline on votes deemed to be crucial by the party leadership and to ensure that members do not vote in a way not approved of by the party.
Overview
Leadership at the state legislative level refers to a range of different positions, including senate presidents and presidents pro tempore, house and assembly speakers, and minority and majority leaders. There are also middle- and lower-level leadership positions, such as whips, deputies, and floor leaders. Voters typically have little direct say in who holds these positions. Instead, the legislators themselves usually select their leaders. While the power and authority—and even the names—of leadership positions vary from chamber-to-chamber and state-to-state, leaders in state legislatures generally play influential roles in four, often interconnected, areas: the legislative process, elections, management, and career advancement. Read more about state legislative leadership positions here. |
The majority leader of a lower legislative chamber manages the daily operations of the majority party on the state House or Assembly floor. The majority leader acts as a spokesperson for the party's policy positions, schedules the daily calendar, and helps direct the party's overall legislative agenda.[1]
The majority leader is often assisted by whips, who help ensure that majority party members are present for votes during floor sessions and support the party's legislative agenda.
At the federal level, the House majority leader is elected by the party conference or caucus at the beginning of each Congress. At the state level, the state House or Assembly majority leader is either appointed by the speaker or elected by the members of the majority party's conference or caucus at the beginning of each legislative session.[2]
History
The roles of minority and majority leaders evolved in the U.S. House of Representatives during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a means of advancing party policy positions on the House floor and building unity among party members. The first majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Sereno Payne (R-N.Y.) was appointed by the speaker of the House in 1899. Payne also served as chairman of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means. Over the next two decades, the majority leader ceased serving on committees and shifted from an appointed position to an elected position from among the majority party conference or caucus.[1][3]
Forty-six state legislatures operate with majority leaders in the lower chamber. In addition, the majority leader in Nebraska serves in the unicameral state legislature.
Responsibilities
The majority leader generally assumes the following duties:[1][4]
- Acts as the lead speaker for the majority party during floor debates
- Schedules the daily legislative calendar
- Assists the speaker in advancing the majority party's legislative agenda.
At the federal level, the House majority leader does not serve on committees. The majority leader may participate in floor debates, but does not generally take a leading role.[5]
In some states, the majority leader serves as an ex officio member of all standing committees.
Voting
Since the majority leader represents the constituency of his or her district, they can vote on all questions before the chamber.
Tenure
Selection
At the federal level, the House majority leader is elected by the majority party conference or caucus at the beginning of each Congress.
At the state level, the state House or Assembly majority leader is either appointed by the speaker or elected by the members of the majority party's conference or caucus at the beginning of each legislative session.[2][6]
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
Congressional representatives who serve as the majority leader are not subject to term limits. State legislators who serve as majority leaders are subject to any applicable term limits in their state.
About state leadership positions
State legislative leadership refers to a range of different positions, including senate presidents and presidents pro tempore, house and assembly speakers, and minority and majority leaders. These positions are typically elected by the full membership of the chamber instead of by the public at large. Although the power and titles of leadership positions vary between states, these leaders all play a role in the legislative process.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 United States House of Representatives—History, Art, & Archives, "Majority Leaders of the House (1899 to present)," accessed January 31, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 State Legislative Leaders Foundation, "Majority Leaders Program," accessed January 31, 2017
- ↑ United States House of Representatives—History, Art, & Archives, "Minority Leaders of the House (1899 to present)," accessed January 31, 2017
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislators, "Roles and Responsibilities of Selected Leadership Positions," accessed January 31, 2017
- ↑ Kids in the House, "House Leadership," accessed February 1, 2017
- ↑ The Ohio House of Representatives, "Rep. Pelanda Elected To Serve As Majority Floor Leader For 132nd General Assembly," November 12, 2016
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