Page "Speaker of the United States House of Representatives" Paragraph 15

The Speakership reached its apogee during the term of Republican Joseph Gurney Cannon ( 1903 – 1911 ).

Cannon exercised extraordinary control over the legislative process ; he determined the agenda of the House, appointed the members of all committees, chose committee chairmen, headed the Rules Committee, and determined which committee heard each bill.

He vigorously used his powers to ensure that the proposals of the Republican Party were passed by the House.

In 1910, however, Democrats and several dissatisfied Republicans joined together to strip the Speaker of many of his powers, including the ability to name committee members and chairmanship of the Rules Committee.

Fifteen years later, Speaker Nicholas Longworth restored much — but not all — of the lost influence of the position.