Leadership Structure

U.S. Senate

Members serving in the 112th Congress

Speaker of the House (Rep. John A. Boehner, OH)
Elected by the full House. The Speaker has several formal duties including, but not limited to, calling the House to order, referring bills to committees, recognizing members for speaking purposes, and signing bills passed by the House.

Republicans

Majority Leader (Rep. Eric Cantor, VA)
Elected by the Democratic Caucus. Serves as the primary advocate for the majority party’s agenda.

Majority Whip (Rep. Kevin McCarthy, CA)
Mobilizes support for majority party positions on key votes, and works to maintain lines of communication between majority leadership and rank-and-file members.

Chair of the Conference (Rep. Jeb Hensarling, TX)
Leads the Republican Conference, which is used to organize and communicate with members of the Republican Party.

National Republican Congressional Committee (Rep. Pete Sessions, TX)
Principal fundraising vehicle for House Republicans.  Provides financial assistance to promising candidates for the House.

Democrats

Minority Leader (Rep Nancy Pelosi, CA)

Serves as an advocate for the legislative priorities of the minority party and sets its legislative agenda.

Minority Whip (Rep. Steny Hoyer, MD)
Mobilizes support for minority party positions on key votes, and works to maintain lines of communication between minority leadership and rank-and-file members.

Assistant Democratic Leader (James E. Clyburn, SC)

Assists the leader and whip with legislative and communication support.

Chair of the Democratic Caucus (Rep. John Larson, CT)
Vehicle used by Democrats to organize and communicate with their members.  Caucus Chairman presides over meetings of all House Democrats.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (Rep. Steve Israel, NY)
Principal fundraising vehicle for House Democrats. Provides financial assistance to promising candidates for the House.