PolicyBrief
H.RES. 4
119th CongressJan 3rd 2025
Authorizing the Clerk to inform the President of the election of the Speaker and the Clerk.
HOUSE PASSED

Notifies the President of the House of Representatives' election of Mike Johnson as Speaker and Kevin McCumber as Clerk for the 119th Congress.

Harold "Hal" Rogers
R

Harold "Hal" Rogers

Representative

KY-5

LEGISLATION

House Officially Elects Speaker Mike Johnson, Clerk Kevin McCumber: Notifies President, Clearing Way for Legislative Business

This bill is a straight-up procedural move. It formally notifies the President that the House of Representatives has elected Mike Johnson of Louisiana as Speaker and Kevin McCumber of Illinois as Clerk for the 119th Congress. Basically, it's the House saying, "We've got our leadership sorted, now we can get to work."

Getting Down to Business

This is one of those necessary steps to get the gears of Congress turning. By officially informing the President of the elected Speaker and Clerk, the House completes a key requirement to start its legislative business. It's like setting up your accounts before you can start trading - gotta have the basics in place.

Real-World Rollout

For everyday folks, this means the House is now officially ready to tackle everything from budget debates to policy changes. Imagine you're starting a new job: you can't really dive into projects until the paperwork's done and everyone knows who's in charge. This is the House's version of that. With the Speaker and Clerk officially recognized, committees can meet, bills can be debated, and votes can be taken.

The Bottom Line

While it might seem like inside baseball, this procedural step is crucial. It ensures everyone's on the same page and that the House can operate according to the rules. No leadership, no lawmaking – it's as simple as that. This notification doesn't favor one party or policy over another; it just sets the stage for all the legislative action to come.