Representatives are generally less independent of party leaders than senators,and usually vote as the leadership directs.Incentives to cooperate include the leadership's power to select committee chairs,determine committee assignments,and provide re-election support in the primary and general elections.As a result,the leadership plays a much greater role in the House than in the Senate, an example of why the atmosphere of the House is regarded by many as more partisan. When the Presidency and Senate are controlled by a different party from the one controlling the House,the Speaker can become the de facto "leader of the opposition."Since the Speaker is a partisan officer with substantial power to control the business of the House, the position is often used for partisan advantage.Representatives are generally less independent of party leaders than senators, and usually vote as the leadership directs. Incentives to cooperate include the leadership's power to select committee chairs, determine committee assignments, and provide re-election support in the primary and general elections. As a result, the leadership plays a much greater role in the House than in the Senate, an example of why the atmosphere of the House is regarded by many as more partisan. When the Presidency and Senate are controlled by a different party from the one controlling the House, the Speaker can become the de facto "leader of the opposition." Since the Speaker is a partisan officer with substantial power to control the business of the House, the position is often used for partisan advantage