General Information about the General Assembly: 76-1
LEADERSHIP SELECTION AND FUNCTIONS
The leadership positions in the General Assembly consist of members of the
Legislature chosen at their respective party caucuses shortly after election
day every second year. The Senate leadership posts filled in this manner
include the President of the Senate, President Pro Tempore, Majority Leader,
Assistant Majority Leaders, Minority Leader, and Assistant Minority Leaders.
The House leadership posts filled in this manner include the Speaker of the
House, Speaker Pro Tempore, Majority Leader, Assistant Majority Leaders,
Minority Leader, and Assistant Minority Leaders. The caucus selections for
Senate President and President Pro Tempore, and House Speaker and Speaker Pro
Tempore are ratified by the proper chamber on the first day of session.
The President of the Senate is the presiding officer of the Senate. The
President is chosen by majority party members at a pre-session caucus and is
then formally elected by the entire membership of the Senate at its opening
session. The President serves a two-year term.
During session, the President presides over debate and rules on parliamentary
questions. The President appoints Senate members to various statutory boards
and commissions after consultation with the Senate majority and minority
leaders.
The President's administrative duties also include referring bills to the
appropriate standing committee, signing bills approved by the General Assembly,
overseeing the administrative budget of the Senate and co-signing all vouchers
for Senate expenditures, with the Majority Leader.
The Office of the President of the Senate is located directly behind the Senate
chamber. The President is assisted by an administrative assistant and a
secretary.
The Speaker of the House is the presiding and chief administrative officer of
the House of Representatives. Traditionally, the Speaker is chosen by majority
party members at a pre-session caucus and is then formally elected by the
entire membership of the House at its opening session. The Speaker serves a
two-year term.
During session, the Speaker presides over debate and rules on parliamentary
questions. The Speaker oversees the construction of the legislative agenda and
serves as the caucus' spokesperson in various forums. The Speaker, with the
House Majority Leader, structures the Chamber agenda. The Speaker oversees the
Majority Caucus Staff.
The Speaker appoints all committee chairs and majority party members of
standing and conference committees, and appoints House members to various
statutory boards and commissions. The Speaker also appoints minority party
members to committees in consultation with the House Minority Leader.
The Speaker's administrative duties also include referring bills to the
appropriate standing committee, determinint the standing committee schedule,
signing bills approved by the General Assembly, overseeing the administrative
budget of the House and approving all vouchers for House expenditures.
Traditionally, the Speaker also serves as chairperson of the Legislative
Council in alternate terms with the Senate Majority Leader.
The Office of the Speaker of the House is located directly behind the House
Chamber, adjacent to the House Majority Leader's office. The Speaker is
assisted by two administrative assistants and a secretary.
The President Pro Tempore of the Senate is selected by the majority party
caucus. The duties of this office are primarily to fill the role of President
of the Senate in the absence of the President. The President Pro Tempore is a
member of the Legislative Council by law and of the majority party leadership
team by tradition.
The Speaker Pro Tempore of the House is selected by the majority party caucus.
The duties of this office are primarily to fill the role of presiding officer
of the House in the absence of the Speaker of the House. The Speaker Pro
Tempore is a member of the Legislative Council by law, and of the majority
party leadership team by tradition.
The Majority Leader of the Senate is selected by the majority party caucus.
The Majority Leader serves as the leader of the majority party in the chamber,
oversees the construction of a legislative agenda, serves as the caucus'
spokesperson in various forums, and oversees the Majority Caucus Staff. The
Majority Leader also structures the chamber agenda and leads action on the
floor by selecting which items to call up for debate. The Senate Majority
Leader issues debate and committee schedules. The Senate Majority Leader is
also responsible for assigning majority party members to regular, interim, and
special committees and determining the members who will serve as committee
chairpersons and vice chairpersons. After consultation with the President of
the Senate, the Senate Majority Leader designates the chairperson and vice
chairperson of each standing committee. The Majority Leader is also assigned
other duties by statue, rules, and precedent. By precedent, the Majority
Leader serves as the chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.
By statute, the Majority Leader and the Senate President must approve expense
and travel requests before they are paid. Finally, the Majority Leader is a
statutory member of the Legislative Council. By tradition, the Senate Majority
Leader serves as Chairperson of the Legislative Council in alternate terms with
the Speaker of the House.
The Senate Majority Leader's office is located on the mezzanine level above and
behind the Senate Chamber. The majority leader is assisted by two
administrative assistants.
The Majority Leader of the House is selected by the majority party caucus. The
Majority Leader serves as the floor leader of the majority party in the chamber
and with the Speaker serves as the caucus spokesperson in various forums. The
Majority Leader, with the Speaker, also structures the chamber agenda and leads
action on the floor by selecting which items to call up for debate. Weekly
debate calendars originate from the House Majority Leader's office. The
Majority Leader is a statutory member of the Legislative Council.
The House Majority Leader's office is located directly behind the house
Chamber. The Majority Leader is assisted by an administrative assistant and a
secretary.
The Minority Leaders of the Senate and House are selected by the minority party
members of their respective chambers. The Minority Leaders serve as the leaders
of the minority party, represent the minority parties' views in the
agenda-setting process, preside at caucuses, serve as spokespersons for their
caucuses in various forums, and oversee the work of chambers' Minority Caucus
Staff. The Minority Leaders are also responsible for following action on the
floor to facilitate debate and to ensure the minority parties' views are
presented. The House Minority Leader is responsible for recommending minority
party members to the Speaker for appointment to regular, interim, special and
statutory committees and members to serve as ranking members on committees. The
Senate Minority Leader appoints minority members to committees after
consultation with the President of the Senate. The Senate Minority Leader also
serves as the ranking member of the Rules and Administration Committee. By
statute, the Minority Leaders serve as members of the Legislative Council make
some appointments to statutory committees. The Minority Leaders may serve on
other standing committees.
The Senate Minority Leader's office is located on the mezzanine level above and
behind the Senate. The House Minority Leader's office is located above the
House Lounge. Each leader is assisted by an administrative assistant and a
secretary as well as their chambers' Minority Caucus Staff.
Assistant Majority Leaders are selected by the majority party caucus in each
chamber while Assistant Minority Leaders are selected by the minority party
caucus in each chamber. The duties of the Assistant Leaders are largely defined
by the Majority and Minority Leaders. Most often, the duties involve serving in
the absence of the Majority or Minority Leader. Typically, Assistant Leaders
poll caucus members on the floor before major votes. They meet on a regular
basis with other legislative leaders of that party and chamber and their own
staff members to assist in the development of their party's session agenda.
Iowa General Assembly
Index
© 1995 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa
Comments? webmaster@legis.iowa.gov
Last update: 1995
URL: /DOCS/GA/76GA/LSB/LegHandbook/GeneralInfo/Leadership.html
jhf