The First Congress

On April 1, 1789, the House of Representatives conducted official business for the first time. One of its first acts was to elect a Speaker.

The Constitution does not require the Speaker to be a member of the House. However, the first House did select one of its own members as the first Speaker -- Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania. Since that time, every Speaker has been a member of the House.

The House elected Muhlenberg on a secret ballot. At this time, political parties had not yet formed, so the Speaker was nonpartisan. Muhlenberg perceived his role as being similar to that of the Speaker of the British House of Commons, with a responsibility to act impartially and to treat all members fairly. He declared, "I shall endeavor to conduct myself with that impartiality, integrity, and assiduity which become the conspicuous station in which you have been pleased to place me."