1. Speaker of the House elected the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 110th Congress, and resumed that role during the 111th Congress. A Democrat, she is the first woman to hold the post of Speaker, or even lead a major political party in either house of Congress. She has represented the 8th District of California in the United States House of Representatives since 1987. Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives110th Congress 111th CongressDemocratCalifornia United States House of RepresentativesSpeaker of the U.S. House of Representatives110th Congress 111th CongressDemocratCalifornia United States House of Representatives

2. Majority Leader Steny Hamilton Hoyer has been a Democratic member of the U. S. House of Representatives, representing the 5th district of Maryland, since 1981. He is also the House majority leader, having been selected for that position during the 110th Congress. DemocraticU. S. House of RepresentativesMaryland House majority leader 110th CongressDemocraticU. S. House of RepresentativesMaryland House majority leader 110th Congress

3. Majority Leader The House Majority Leader is second to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in the majority party hierarchy. A representative is elected to the post by the majority party’s conference in organizational meetings prior to the start of a new Congress. While there are no official Constitutional responsibilities, historically the Majority Leader has worked closely with the Speaker and been responsible for scheduling legislation for floor consideration. The Majority Leader also helps plan daily, weekly, and annual legislative agendas; consults with Members to gauge the climate on particular issues; urges colleagues to support or defeat measures on the floor, and works to advance the goals of the majority party. Lastly, the majority leader is also responsible for monitoring floor activities, particularly the opposition party’s parliamentary maneuvers. Speaker of the U.S. House of RepresentativesSpeaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

4. Majority Whip James Enos "Jim" Clyburn, Democrat, has represented the Sixth Congressional District of South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993. He is the House Majority Whip in the 111th Congress, and is the third-ranking Democrat in the House behind Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. Democrat South Carolina U.S. House of RepresentativesHouse Majority Whip 111th CongressNancy PelosiSteny HoyerDemocrat South Carolina U.S. House of RepresentativesHouse Majority Whip 111th CongressNancy PelosiSteny Hoyer

5. Majority/Minority Whip In the U.S. Congress, both the House Majority Whip and House Minority Whip are responsible for mobilizing the party vote on important legislation, acting as a liaison between members and the leadership, and coordinating strategy within the respective parties. Whips are responsible for calculating "head counts" prior to important votes. The undecided members are important when close votes are expected, and become prime targets for the persuasive efforts of the Whips. These counts help the Speaker make important decisions, such as when a measure is ready for the floor, or the Minority Leader in planning opposition to a bill.

6. Minority Leader John Andrew Boehner, a Republican, has represented the Eighth Congressional District of Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1992. (map). He is currently the House Minority Leader. Republican OhioU.S. House of RepresentativesmapHouse Minority LeaderRepublican OhioU.S. House of RepresentativesmapHouse Minority Leader

7. Minority Leader The House Minority Leader serves as the minority party’s counterpart to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. A representative is elected to the post by the minority party caucus or conference at organizational meetings prior to the start of a new Congress. The Minority Leader speaks for the minority party and its policies, strives to protect the minority’s rights, and devises parliamentary strategies and tactics for maximizing the influence of the minority party on legislative outcomes. Speaker of the U.S. House of RepresentativesSpeaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

8. Minority Whip Eric Ivan Cantor, a Republican, has represented the Seventh Congressional District of Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2001. He is the House Minority Whip in the 111th Congress. Republican VirginiaU.S. House of RepresentativesHouse Minority Whip 111th Congress Republican VirginiaU.S. House of RepresentativesHouse Minority Whip 111th Congress

9. Demographics in the House of Representatives 76 Women 356 Men 255 Democrats 178 Republicans 0 independents 2 vacancies 42 African Americans 25 Hispanics 8 Asian Americans 1 Native American

10. Senate http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/senator s/a_three_sections_with_teasers/leadershi p.htm

11. President of the Senate According to Article 1, section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, "The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided." Other than being prepared to succeed to the presidency if needed, the vice president's only constitutional role in government is to preside over the Senate. Although vice presidents regularly presided in the Senate during the 19th century and through much of the early 20th century, today vice presidents preside only on ceremonial occasions and when their vote is needed to break a tie. Vice President of the Senatetheir vote is needed to break a tieVice President of the Senatetheir vote is needed to break a tie

12. President Pro Tempore The Constitution provides for a president pro tempore to preside over the Senate in the absence of the vice president. By tradition, this position goes to the senior member of the majority party. Since 1890, the president pro tem has held office continuously until the election of another. The president pro tem is third in the line of presidential succession, behind the vice president and the Speaker of the House. president pro temporesenior member of the majority party presidential successionpresident pro temporesenior member of the majority party presidential succession

13. Senate Leaders The Majority Leader and Minority Leader are elected by their respective party conferences to serve as the chief Senate spokesmen for their parties and to manage and schedule the legislative and executive business of the Senate. By custom, the Presiding Officer gives the floor leaders priority in obtaining recognition to speak on the floor of the Senate.

14. Senate Whips whips - Assistants to the floor leaders who are also elected by their party conferences. The Majority and Minority Whips (and their assistants) are responsible for mobilizing votes within their parties on major issues. In the absence of a party floor leader, the whip often serves as acting floor leader.

15. Senate Leadership 16 women 84 men 57 Democrats 41 Republicans 2 independents 0 vacancies 1 African American 3 Hispanics 3 Asian Americans http://www.thecapitol.net/FAQ/cong_numbers.html