Context: A handful of Republicans in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday ousted Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy, as party infighting plunged Congress into further chaos just days after it narrowly averted a government shutdown.
The syllabus of GS Paper II contains “comparison of Indian constitution with those of other countries”. This makes it important for us to understand the comparison of the positions of the speaker of Lok Sabha and the Speaker of House of representatives.
| Parameter | Speaker of Lok Sabha (India) | Speaker of House of Representatives (USA) |
| Appointment Process | Elected by Lok Sabha members | Elected by House members |
| Political Affiliation | Expected to be impartial | Prominent member of majority party |
| Term of Office | Renewable; typically 5 years | Elected at the beginning of each Congress (2 years) |
| Removal Process | Can be removed by a majority vote of Lok Sabha members | Can be removed by a majority vote of House members |
| Powers and Influence | Primarily procedural and ceremonial; limited influence over legislative agenda | Significant influence over legislative agenda; controls committee assignments; shapes legislative priorities |
| Role in Legislative Process | Ensures orderly proceedings, impartiality, and represents Lok Sabha to the President | Actively participates in legislative process, determines which bills are considered, and influences legislative priorities |
| Voting on Legislation | Typically does not vote except in the case of a tie | Can vote on legislation, but typically refrains from doing so |
| Party Politics | Expected to resign from political party upon assuming office | Prominent member of their political party, actively involved in party politics |
| Representation to President | Represents Lok Sabha to the President of India | Represents the House of Representatives to the President of the United States |
| Succession to Presidency | Not in the line of succession to the presidency | In the line of succession to the presidency after the Vice President |
| Privileges and Perks | Enjoys certain privileges such as a residence (official bungalow) and security | Enjoys privileges such as a spacious office, staff support, and security |
| Neutrality | Expected to maintain impartiality and neutrality | Can be openly partisan due to their role in party politics |
