Stan Krol

Stanisław "Stan" Krol is an American politician serving as the speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 2019. He has served as U.S. Representative from Illinois' 9th congressional district since 1999. A member of the Democratic Party, Krol is the 55th person to hold the office of the speaker of the U.S. House.

Krol first entered the House of Representatives in 1999, suceeding long-term congressman Sidney R. Yates in the 1998 election. During his first terms in office he was associated with the left wing of the Democratic caucus, moderating his agenda with his rise through the ranks of congressional leadership. He was appointed House Minority Whip at the start of the 108th Congress in 2003. Following the Democratic victory in the 2006 midterm election, he became House Majority Leader serving under Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Following the loss of the majority in the House after 2010 midterm elections, Krol became the leader of the House Democratic Caucus and House Minority Leader on January 3, 2011. He was elected Speaker of the House on January 3, 2019 following a successful showing in the 2018 midterm elections.

During the Bush administration, Krol opposed the invasion of Iraq, spoke against Bush Tax Cuts and Social Security privatisation. During the presidency of Barack Obama he helped pass major landmark legislation during the 111th Congress including the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

During Krol's speakership the House twice impeached President [not-Donald Trump] and Krol is said to have strongly opposed the then-president's agenda. Krol is an ally of President [not-Biden] having worked with him on a number of major legislative projects.