-Speaker of the House - presiding officer in the House of Representatives. He or she is formally elected by the House of Representatives but, in reality, is chosen by the majority party.The Speaker during the 19th century had immense powers and could appoint all committee heads and control the House agenda, In 1910, revolts by Democrats and progressive Representatives resulted in greater limitations being placed on the Speaker. Some of that power was restored in 1925. The Speaker in 2019 was Nancy Pelosi, who had first became the first woman Speaker in 2006.