America does not use the parliamentary system; the Constitution makes that clear. Executive power is vested exclusively in the president, who exists independently of the legislature. While the presidency is structured as a hierarchical office, the Constitution says nothing about Congress being similarly top-down. The only mention of House leadership is a passing mention that the chamber “shall choose their Speaker and other Officers”; on every other occasion the body is described as a collective: “the Congress shall . . .”

Yet over time, expectations of the speaker have evolved. During the Founders’ time the speaker was a bland presiding chairman; today, he or she is a hyper-partisan pseudo-premier holding authority over not only his party’s caucus and committees, but also the policy goals and priorities of Congress more generally. Today, would-be speakers essentially function like British party leaders, articulating a clear set of legislative priorities for the nation and pursuing them with vigor once their party wins a majority.