Can the US Congress Function Normally Without a Speaker?

There is a moment in the political calendar when the leadership of the United States House of Representatives becomes vacant, most recently in 2021 when Kevin McCarthy was revoked from the position. In such an instance, can the Congress continue to function normally?

What Happens When the Speaker's Position is Vacant?

When the Speaker of the House is not in office due to removal, resignation, or death, the House is essentially paralysed until a new Speaker is elected. No legislative actions can proceed on the House floor, and any business that requires the Speaker's presence comes to a standstill.

Furthermore, the first order of business for the House after a vacancy is the election of a new Speaker. During this time, all legislative processes are suspended, and the temporary leader of the Senate, known as the President pro tempore, takes over as the second-in-line to the Presidency, maintaining a semblance of continuity in government leadership.

Real-world Example

One of the most recent examples of this phenomenon occurred in 2021 when Nancy Pelosi stepped down and left a temporary leadership gap in the House. This period of inaction persisted until a new Speaker was sworn in, a process that lasted until January 2023.

During these days, little to no actual business was transacted within the House, severely impacting the end-of-year budgetary processes. Legislators have to use the Speaker seat as leverage, thus potentially derailing essential government functions.

Temporary Measures and Repercussions

While the Constitution mandates a Speaker, in practice, the process of electing a new Speaker can be a slow and contentious one. Until a new Speaker is elected, the House is effectively frozen, unable to proceed with any legislative actions. This marks a significant pause in the legislative calendar.

For instance, if there is no Speaker, there is no Continuing Resolution (CR) passed, no budget, and no bills in motion. The absence of a Speaker can disrupt the regular legislative cycle and create bottlenecks that impede governmental operations.

On the other hand, given the current political climate, the Republicans are expected to choose a new Speaker before the issue becomes too problematic. However, the process may not be smooth, and it may take some time before a new Speaker is confirmed.

Despite the temporary leadership void, committee work continues as usual. The gavel-wielding member or the committee chair can drive proceedings, but the House as a whole remains in a state of inactivity until a new Speaker is in place.

Conclusion

While the US Congress can function in a limited capacity without a Speaker for a short period, prolonged absence of the Speaker seriously hampers legislative progress. The elected officials must navigate through this challenge effectively to ensure the smooth running of government.