"Mr. Speaker/Ms. Speaker" and "Mr. President/Mrs. President"

[TommyC1776]

Hi,

Can someone explain to me why the House sometimes has a guy up there or a lady up there instead of Nancy Pelosi?  I thought Ms. Pelosi was supposed to be up there all the time.  Also, the same thing is in the Senate because their's different people up there and their called Mr./Mrs. President.  Why is that?

[Joe Republic]

Attendance in the House for any representative is never 100%, and that goes for the Speaker as well.  Whenever she is not physically in the chamber and the House is in session, a 'Speaker pro tempore' is quickly nominated and elected by the body to preside over affairs for that session.  It's purely a procedural thing, so there's not usually any fuss.

It's the same deal with the President pro tempore of the Senate.

[AndrewTX]

Yes.

 Also, it's usually a Freshman representative or senator. That way they can learn the rules of the floor easier. That's why you'll notice on the Senate floor, you see Sen. McCaskill, Sen. Webb, and others heading the chamber.

[TommyC1776]

Yes.

 Also, it's usually a Freshman representative or senator. That way they can learn the rules of the floor easier. That's why you'll notice on the Senate floor, you see Sen. McCaskill, Sen. Webb, and others heading the chamber.

thanks AndrewCT.

[Joe Republic]

Uh, you're welcome.

[AndrewTX]

Yah, Joe got you the answer first. I just put in some additional info.