<P> The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives presides over the lower house of Congress , the House of Representatives . This post is second in line to the presidency -- after the vice president -- and is therefore the third highest - ranking national office overall . In practice , this post is the highest - ranking in Congress , because the president of the US Senate is the vice president , who has his / her office , and predominant responsibilities , at the White House , and therefore does not have a day - to - day presence at the Congress . </P>
who is the presiding officer of the legislative house
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives