House of Representatives Leadership in the United States

U.S. House of Representatives: History of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rise of Strong Leadership

Introduction to House of Representatives Leadership

In the last quarter of the 19th century, divisions between Republicans and Democrats in the House blocked much major legislation. House members spent much of their time handling personal requests from constituents and championing legislation tailored to narrow interests, such as oil and railroad companies. Behavior on the House floor was shabby: Members sometimes ate peanuts, napped, and entertained visitors while the chamber was in session. Public confidence in Congress plummeted. Several Speakers tried to rein in the rowdy House, but their efforts had little effect until the House chose Republican Thomas Reed of Maine as Speaker in 1889. Reed claimed the right to declare a quorum present even if members did not answer the roll call, and he hounded those who tried to manipulate House rules to block legislation. Reed’s critics denounced him as a dictator, but the House adopted his procedural reforms.

With enhanced control of the chamber’s business, the Rules Committee soon ranked among the most influential committees. Under Reed’s guidance, the House passed over 500 significant bills. These included the Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890), which banned business monopolies. In 1897 Reed instituted the system of party whips to help organize party members’ support for pending legislation. The whip system, which was inspired by the British Parliament, proved so useful that leaders expanded it to include assistants to whips. The system became a key tool for compelling House members to vote with their parties.” (1)

House Floor Leaders

Period	Party	Majority Leader
1899-11	R	Sereno E. Payne, NY
1911-15	D	Oscar W. Underwood, AL
1915-19	D	Claude Kitchin, NC
1919-23	R	Franklin W. Mondell, WY
1923-25	R	Nicholas Longworth, OH
1925-31	R	John Q. Tilson, CT
1931-33	D	Henry T. Rainey, IL
1933-35	D	Joseph W. Byrns, TN
1935-37	D	William B. Bankhead, AL
1937-40	D	Sam Rayburn, TX
1940-47	D	John W. McCormack, MA
1947-49	R	Charles A. Halleck, IN
1949-53	D	John W. McCormack, MA
1953-55	R	Charles A. Halleck, IN
1955-62	D	John W. McCormack, MA
1962-71	D	Carl Albert, OK
1971-73	D	Hale Boggs, LA
1973-77	D	Thomas P. O’Neill Jr, MA
1977-86	D	James C. Wright Jr, TX
1987-88	D	Thomas S. Foley, WA
1989-94	D	Richard A. Gephardt, MO
1995-99	R	Richard K. Armey, TX

Period	Party	Minority Leader
1899-03	D	James D. Richardson, TN
1903-08	D	John Sharp Williams, MS
1908-11	D	Champ Clark, MO
1911-19	R	James R. Mann, IL
1919-21	D	Champ Clark, MO
1921-23	D	Claude Kitchin, NC
1923-29	D	Finis J. Garrett, TN
1929-31	D	John N. Garner, TX
1931-39	R	Bertrand H. Snell, NY
1939-47	R	Joseph W. Martin, Jr., MA
1947-49	D	Sam Rayburn, TX
1949-53	R	Joseph W. Martin, Jr., MA
1953-55	D	Sam Rayburn, TX
1955-59	R	Joseph W. Martin, Jr., MA
1959-65	R	Charles A. Halleck, IN
1965-73	R	Gerald R. Ford, MI
1974-81	R	John J. Rhodes, AZ
1981-94	R	Robert H. Michel, IL
1995-99	D	Richard A. Gephardt, MO