<P> The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives presides over the lower house of Congress , the House of Representatives . This post is second in line to the presidency -- after the vice president -- and is therefore the third highest - ranking national office overall . In practice , this post is the highest - ranking in Congress , because the president of the US Senate is the vice president , who has his / her office , and predominant responsibilities , at the White House , and therefore does not have a day - to - day presence at the Congress . </P>
<P> The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives presides over the lower house of Congress , the House of Representatives . This post is second in line to the presidency -- after the vice president -- and is therefore the third highest - ranking national office overall . In practice , this post is the highest - ranking in Congress , because the president of the US Senate is the vice president , who has his / her office , and predominant responsibilities , at the White House , and therefore does not have a day - to - day presence at the Congress . </P>
who is the presiding officer of the legislative house
who is the presiding officer of the legislative house
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives