Authorizing the Clerk to inform the President of the election of the Speaker and the Clerk.

Bill Number

H.Res. 4

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Congress

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2025-01-03: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Last Updated

2025-01-15T18:21:13Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This resolution formally notifies the President of the United States that the House of Representatives has elected its leadership for the 119th Congress, ensuring the chamber is organized to conduct business.

Key Provisions

• Instructs the Clerk of the House to inform the President of the elections.
• Elects Mike Johnson, a Representative from Louisiana, as Speaker of the House.
• Elects Kevin McCumber, a citizen from Illinois, as Clerk of the House.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• No substantive changes to existing laws; this is a procedural resolution at the start of a new congressional session (119th Congress, beginning January 3, 2025).
• It reaffirms or continues prior leadership roles (e.g., Mike Johnson was previously elected Speaker in the 118th Congress) but formally applies them to the new Congress.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: Minimal direct impact, but it enables the House to organize committees, pass legislation, and oversee executive actions more efficiently.
• On citizens: Indirectly affects legislative processes, such as lawmaking and budget approvals, by establishing House leadership.
• On international relations: Negligible, as this is an internal House matter with no foreign policy elements.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Members of the House of Representatives: Directly involved in the election and impacted by the chosen leadership's agenda.
• Mike Johnson and Kevin McCumber: Appointed to key roles, influencing House operations.
• The President of the United States: Formally notified, which is a constitutional courtesy to acknowledge the House's organization.
• Broader Congress: Facilitates coordination between House and Senate for legislative work.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Constitutional basis: Aligns with Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, which requires the House to choose its Speaker and other officers at the start of each Congress.
• Legal implications: Establishes official authority for the Speaker (who presides over debates and represents the House) and Clerk (who manages administrative duties like recording votes); no challenges to legality are implied.
• Political implications: Sets the tone for partisan control and priorities in the 119th Congress, potentially influencing legislative efficiency or gridlock, though the resolution itself is non-partisan in nature.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Rogers, Harold [R-KY-5]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-03: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-01-03: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H8)
• 2025-01-03: Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H8)
• 2025-01-03: Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H8)
• 2025-01-03: Submitted in House
• 2025-01-03: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• H. RES. 4 (EH) - Engrossed in House — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (1 pages)