Speaker of the House

1. Here's what the constitution has to say about the Speaker of the House: Article 1 Section II "The House of Representatives elects its Speaker as the first order of business at the start of each two-year term or when a Speaker dies or resigns during the legislative term. The practice is customary, for it occurs before the House formally adopts its rules of procedure for the legislative term. " link
2. Here are the leadership roles that exist in each house of congress: Speaker of the House presides over proceedings on the House floor, influences which bills go to which committees, influences committee assignments for new members, appoints the party's other leaders, and rules on questions of parliamentary procedure. The majority leader is "usually the second ranking member of the majority party, is the party leader on the floor. Often hand-picked by the Speaker, the majority leader helps plan the party's legislative program." The Minority Leader "heads and organizes the minority party. Because the party has less voting power than the majority party has, this person's influence is usually limited. If the minority party succeeds in the next congressional election, the minority leader could well be the next Speaker."  The Vice President is the president of the senate.  He can only vote in the case of a tie.  the vice president rarely sits with the senate so the President Pro Tempore sits in. He oversees debate in the house. Floor Leaders "are the real leaders in the Senate, although they generally have less power than do leaders in the House" link
3. This is how the Speaker of the House would become the President (presidential succession): "The succession follows the order of Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the cabinet, which currently has fifteen members." link
4. The longest serving speaker in history is: "Longest-serving Speaker of the House:
   Samuel Rayburn of Texas served as Speaker for a total of 17 years, two months, and two days." link
5. The first woman to serve as speaker of the house was: "On January 4, 2007, Nancy Pelosi of California became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House." She was a part of the democratic party. link
6. When did Newt Gingrich serve as speaker: "After the 1994 mid-term elections, Newt Gingrich became the first Republican Speaker of the House in 40 years." link He is famous for leading the republican revolution in the 90s and having to resign because of an ethics violation. He wrote a book called contract for america and wanted to be president.  Still a famous conservative commentator.  
7. John Boehner just resigned as Speaker of the House.  ---This is why he quit now: "Boehner said the main driver behind his resignation was concern for his conference, he also recalled emotionally when he and the Pope found themselves alone during the visit Thursday -- something Boehner, a devout Catholic, had sought since taking the helm of the House GOP caucus." link he served since 2010 as Speaker of the House. He could not lead or control the republican party anymore because his party argues about many things and he is sick of it!!! link
8. Kevin McCarthy was a likely successor but failed to get enough people on his side. link
9. Republicans in congress hope Paul Ryan will enter the race for speaker because they thought he was most capable of leading a divided party.  They see him as young, dynamic, and conservative.  "“Chairman Ryan appreciates the support he's getting from his colleagues but is still not running for Speaker," Ryan's spokesman Brendan Buck said in a statement Friday.'" link
10. Paul Ryan is chair of Ways and Means committee.  This is what this committee does: "The Committee on Ways and Means is the oldest committee of the United States Congress, and is the chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives. The Committee derives a large share of its jurisdiction from Article I, Section VII of the U.S. Constitution which declares, “All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.”" link
11. a congressional committee is: "Committees decide which bills and resolutions move forward to consideration by the House or Senate as a whole. Committee chairmen have enormous influence over this process." There are over 50 committees in congress and more than 100 including sub committees. link
12. Why Paul Ryan may chose not to take the job: "Paul Ryan has built his career on the idea that he can lead Republicans to the fiscal promised land of limited government by rewriting the country’s tax code and overhauling entitlement programs he contends are drowning the nation in debt. Choosing to run now for speaker in the chaotic, fractured House is no way to achieve those goals. That’s why when  Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced last month he would step down as speaker and the Draft Ryan pleas began, the former vice presidential nominee’s answer was a resounding “no.”" link  He is also a family man and it would put him on the road over 100 days a year and not give him any family time.  He also wants to be president oneday.
13. if i were in Paul Ryan's position: I would do the same as Paul Ryan.  If i had a specific goal in mind i would not take opportunities that push me in a different direction and does not help me reach my goals.  best reasons for taking the job: it would be good to show appreciation and leadership and having the ability to step up to the plate for your country. 
14. has a speaker of the house ever risen to presidency:  James K Polk is the only president who had previously been speaker of the house.  link  Being speaker of the house is a very important role but it is not necessarily a stepping stone to the white house.  it is actually very rare considering James K Polk is the only person who has ever done so.
15. what is a congressional caucus? "A congressional caucus is a group of members of the United States Congress that meets to pursue common legislative objectives. Formally, caucuses are formed as congressional member organizations (CMOs) through the United States House of Representatives and governed under the rules of thatchamber. In addition to the term caucus, they are sometimes called coalitions, study groups, task forces, or working groups." link  There are 76 total caucuses.  45 congressional caucuses. committees focus on a certain issue.  caucus provide a forum for such issues. link
16. what is the house freedom caucus? "a congressional caucus consisting of conservative Republican members of the United States House of Representatives.^[6] It was formed by a group of Congressmen as a "smaller, more cohesive, more agile and more active" group of conservatives. Many members are also part of the conservative House group the Republican Study Committee.^[7][8] According to its mission statement, “The House Freedom Caucus gives a voice to countless Americans who feel that Washington does not represent them. We support open, accountable and limited government, the Constitution and the rule of law, and policies that promote the liberty, safety and prosperity of all Americans.”" link tea party. they want the speaker to be respectful, someone who isn't going to tell them what to do, and give them more control. link
17.  ADDITIONAL ARTICLE SUMMARY  The house republicans fate lies in the hands of the freedom Caucus.  This include the most conservative members. They are not extremely fond of the representative from California running for speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy who ended up pulling out of the race. They have not decided whether or not as a whole they support Paul Ryan. Right now they are sticking with Daniel Webster from Florida.  Webster inspired Boehner because of how well he managed the fiscal battles.  Giving the freedom caucus more power would increase the chances of the White House potentially shutting down.