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House Names Speaker and Clerk

Full Title:
To inform the Senate that a quorum of the House has assembled and of the election of the Speaker and the Clerk.

Summary#

This is a routine House resolution adopted at the start of the 119th Congress on January 3, 2025. It tells the Senate that the House has enough members present to do business (a quorum), and that the House chose its leaders. It names Mike Johnson as Speaker and Kevin McCumber as Clerk. This step helps both chambers coordinate from day one.

  • Notifies the Senate that the House is organized and ready to work.
  • Confirms Mike Johnson of Louisiana as Speaker of the House.
  • Confirms Kevin McCumber of Illinois as Clerk of the House.
  • Makes no policy changes and does not affect any laws or programs.
  • Took effect immediately when the House agreed to it without objection.

What it means for you#

  • Most people: No direct impact. This is an internal housekeeping step.
  • Voters and followers of Congress: It confirms who leads the House. The Speaker sets the agenda and helps decide which bills get floor time.
  • Government watchers and media: Provides the formal record that the House is organized and who holds key posts.
  • Congressional operations: The Clerk manages records, votes, and many administrative tasks, so confirming the Clerk helps the House run smoothly.

Expenses#

Estimated annual cost: none beyond routine administrative work.

  • No new programs, staff, or funding.
  • Only minor staff time to prepare and deliver the notice.

Proponents' View#

  • It is a standard, necessary step to open a new Congress and begin work.
  • Provides clear, formal notice to the Senate to avoid any confusion about leadership.
  • Helps coordination between the House and Senate from the start.
  • Has no policy impact and virtually no cost.

Opponents' View#

  • No publicly available information.