Republican John Boehner is expected to become the new speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, after his party won the majority in that chamber in the November 2 midterm elections.

The House speaker is the top-ranking position in the chamber and is elected by members of the party in power. The speaker helps set the party’s legislative agenda and may preside over House debates, in addition to fulfilling regular duties representing his or her congressional district.

If chosen by his party, Boehner will replace Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Boehner has been the top-ranking member of the Republican minority in the House since 2006.

He was elected to Congress in 1994, in a Republican landslide during the Democratic administration of President Bill Clinton. Boehner was one of a group of seven freshman congressmen who gained notoriety by exposing corruption within the lawmaking body. He is the sole member of that group still in office.

Boehner’s selection as House speaker is not automatic. House members must vote for their new leadership after all take their seats in January. Democrats will vote for their top-ranked position — House minority leader, VOA News reported.