Entry 2: Chapter 5, Lesson 2 – The House of Representatives

As you read this chapter lesson’s Reading Essentials, you’ll encounter the following questions.
Please answer them as you read and use this checklist to make sure you didn’t miss anything.

☐ What skills and experience do you think the House majority and minority leaders
must develop and demonstrate? How could these skills and experience help them
eventually become Speaker of the House? Do you have any of these skills, and if
not, how would you gain them?

A:House members consider a number of factors when choosing leaders. A

member’s personal reputation, interactions with other members, legislative skills,
expertise, experience, length of service, and knowledge of the institution are taken
into account. Members tend to choose leaders who are in the ideological
mainstream of their party and represent diverse regions of the country. The
positions that a member has held in Congress, such as service on important
committees, are evaluated. Fundraising ability, media prowess, and
communications skills are increasingly important criteria for leadership. The ability
to forge winning coalitions and the connections that a member has to leaders in
the Senate or the executive branch are factored into the decision.

☐ Reminder: if you want, take the optional mini quiz for this chapter lesson to check your
understanding.

If you’ve checked all the boxes, move on to the Chapter 5, Lesson 3 reading!