U.S. House of Representatives

The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress, the other being the United States Senate. It is commonly referred to as the House. The primary role of the House is to pass federal legislation that affects the entire country, although its bills must also be passed by the Senate and further agreed to by the President of the United States before becoming law unless both the House and Senate re-pass the legislation with a two-thirds majority in each chamber.

Composition and Powers

The House is composed of Representatives who sit in congressional districts that are allocated to each of the 50 states on a basis of population as measured by the U.S. Census, with each district entitled to one representative. As stipulated by Article One of the United States Constitution, the number of Representatives cannot exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state is guaranteed at least one Representative. The total number of voting representatives is fixed by law at 435. In addition, there are six non-voting members, representing the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories.

The House is charged with the passage of federal legislation, known as bills, which, after concurrence by the Senate, are sent to the President for consideration. In addition to this basic power, the House has several exclusive powers which include the power to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President in the case of an electoral college tie.

Leadership

The Speaker of the House, who is elected by the Representatives, is the House leader and its presiding officer. The Speaker sets the agenda, administers the oath of office to House members, presides over debates, and makes rulings on procedure. The current Speaker is a key figure in the political and legislative process.

Committees

The House operates under a committee system, with members serving on committees that handle specific duties and issues, such as the House Committee on Ways and Means or the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. These committees consider bills and issues and oversee agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions.

Historical Context

The House of Representatives was established as a result of the compromises made during the 1787 Constitutional Convention. The Virginia Plan called for a bicameral Congress, the lower house being apportioned by population. The New Jersey Plan called for a unicameral Congress with equal representation for each state. The compromise led to the creation of the House and the Senate, and thus the bicameral system of Congress.

Significance

The House plays a crucial role in the U.S. federal government by originating spending bills and by serving as the "voice of the people," with its members ostensibly closer to the constituents than the Senators. The House's functions as a legislative body reflect the democratic ethos of the United States, balancing the power of the Senate, which historically was seen as representing the states.

See Also

• List of current members of the U.S. House of Representatives
• Elections in the United States
• Political parties in the United States