Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives

Majority Leader (Republican Leader) House of Representatives
Incumbent Kevin McCarthy (Calif.-23) since August 1, 2014
Style	Leader
Inaugural holder	Sereno E. Payne
Formation	1899

Majority Whip (Republican Whip) House of Representatives
Incumbent Steve Scalise (La.-1) since August 1, 2014
Style	Whip
Inaugural holder	James Albertus Tawney
Formation	1899

Minority Leader (Democratic Leader) House of Representatives
Incumbent Nancy Pelosi (Calif.-12) since January 3, 2011
Style	Leader
Inaugural holder	Joseph Weldon Bailey
Formation	1897

Minority Whip (Democratic Whip) House of Representatives
Incumbent Steny Hoyer (Md.-5) since January 3, 2011
Style	Whip
Inaugural holder	Oscar Underwood
Formation	1899

Party leaders and whips of the United States House of Representatives, also known as floor leaders, are elected by their respective parties in a closed-door caucus by secret ballot. The current party leaders are: Majority (Republican) Leader Kevin McCarthy, Majority (Republican) Whip Steve Scalise, Minority (Democratic) Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Minority (Democratic) Whip Steny Hoyer.

Although the media frequently uses the term "Minority Leader" for the House leader of the party holding a minority of seats, the U.S. House of Representatives does not officially use this term; it instead uses the respective term "Republican Leader" or "Democratic Leader."

Unlike in Westminster style legislatures or as with the Senate Majority Leader, the House Majority Leader's duties and prominence vary depending upon the style and power of the Speaker of the House. Typically, the Speaker does not participate in debate and rarely votes on the floor. In some cases, Majority Leaders have been more influential than the Speaker; notably Tom DeLay who was more prominent than Speaker Dennis Hastert. In addition, Speaker Newt Gingrich delegated to Dick Armey an unprecedented level of authority over scheduling legislation on the House floor.

The current Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, of the United States House of Representatives serves as floor leader of the opposition party, and is the counterpart to the Majority Leader. Unlike the Majority Leader, the Minority Leader is on the ballot for Speaker of the House during the convening of the Congress. If the Minority Leader's party takes control of the House, and the party officers are all re-elected to their seats, the Minority Leader is usually the party's top choice for Speaker for the next Congress, while the Minority Whip is typically in line to become Majority Leader. The Minority Leader usually meets with the Majority Leader and the Speaker to discuss agreements on controversial issues.