Malcolm Rivera
The United States Constitution outlines the country's system of government and the rights of its citizens. One of the key components of this system is the House of Representatives, which forms part of the US Congress. The House of Representatives is designed to represent citizens based on district populations, with each state having at least one representative serving a two-year term. The Constitution also establishes the minimum age and citizenship requirements for representatives, as well as the process for filling vacancies. The House has specific legislative powers, including the origination of all bills for raising revenue, and plays a crucial role in the impeachment process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum age to be elected | 25 years old |
| Minimum citizenship duration | 7 years |
| Term length | 2 years |
| Number of Representatives | Not more than 1 for every 30,000 people; each state has at least 1 |
| Leadership | Speaker, majority and minority leaders, assistant leaders, whips, and a party caucus or conference |
| Powers | Taxation, impeachment |
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What You'll Learn
The House of Representatives is mentioned in Article 1 of the US Constitution
The House of Representatives is indeed mentioned in Article 1 of the US Constitution. This article outlines the structure and powers of the US legislative branch, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives, as described in Article 1, is intended to be a body of elected representatives chosen every second year by the people of the states. Each state is to have at least one representative for a minimum population of 30,000, with representation based on the state's population. The Constitution also sets out the requirements for becoming a representative, including a minimum age of 25, US citizenship for at least seven years, and residency in the state they represent.
The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment and is responsible for initiating all bills for raising revenue, although the Senate may propose amendments to these bills. The House also has the power to choose its speaker and other officers.
The creation of the House of Representatives was part of what became known as the Great Compromise or the Connecticut Compromise, which resolved a key controversy during the drafting of the Constitution. This compromise established equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House, based on state population.
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The House has representation based on population
The United States Constitution provides for representation in the House based on population. Each state is entitled to at least one representative, with the number of additional seats roughly corresponding to its share of the total population of the 50 states. The Constitution's Article I, Section 2, states that "Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers."
The process of determining the number of seats in the House of Representatives for each state is called apportionment. This process is carried out following each census, with the results used to calculate the number of House seats to which each state is entitled. The Constitution mandates that a census be conducted every ten years, and the decennial census is used to determine the number of seats in the House for the following decade.
The current method for apportionment is the Huntington-Hill method or method of equal proportions, which was adopted in 1941 following the 1940 census. This method aims to minimize the percentage differences in the number of people represented by each representative. While this method does not ensure that each representative represents the same number of people, it provides the most optimal apportionment given the cap on the number of representatives.
The size of the House of Representatives refers to the total number of congressional districts or seats allocated to the states. The current number of voting representatives is 435, with an additional five delegates representing the District of Columbia and territories. The ratio of population to representatives in the House is the highest among industrialized democracies and has increased significantly since the first Congress, when there was one representative for every 57,169 people. Today, there is approximately one representative for every 747,000 Americans.
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The minimum age to be elected to the House is 25
The US Constitution does include the House of Representatives, and Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution provides for both the minimum and maximum sizes for the House. The House represents citizens based on district populations, while the Senate represents citizens on an equal state basis. Each state is represented in the House based on its population and has at least one representative.
To be elected to the House of Representatives, a person must fulfil certain requirements. One of the requirements is that the person must be at least 25 years old. The other requirements are that the person must be a citizen of the United States for seven years or more and a resident of the state that they represent. Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms.
In comparison, the requirements to be elected to the US Senate are slightly different. A person must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States for nine years or more, and a resident of the state that they represent. Senators are elected for six-year terms, and every two years, one-third of the Senate is up for re-election.
The House of Representatives has standing committees with different legislative jurisdictions. Each committee considers bills and issues and recommends measures for consideration by the House. The Committee of the Whole House is a committee on which all representatives serve and meets in the House Chamber for the consideration of measures from the Union calendar.
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US territories and the District of Columbia are represented by delegates
The US Constitution outlines the House of Representatives as having a minimum and maximum size, with representation based on population. Each state is represented in the House and has at least one representative.
US territories and the District of Columbia are not represented in the Senate. However, they are represented in the House by delegates who have many of the same functions as other representatives. There are currently five delegates representing the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. These delegates possess the same powers as other members of the House, except they cannot vote when the House meets.
The District of Columbia's delegate, for instance, has a seat in the House, with the right to debate, and enjoys the privileges granted by Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution. They are subject to the same restrictions and regulations imposed on other representatives.
To be elected as a representative, a person must be at least 25 years old, a US citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state they represent. Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms.
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The House is commonly referred to as the lower house
The United States Constitution outlines the existence of the House of Representatives, also known as the House. The House is commonly referred to as the lower house, with the Senate as the upper house. This is despite the US Constitution not using this terminology.
The House is the lower chamber of the bicameral US Congress. It has more members than the upper house, with each state represented in the House based on its population. The House has a lower age of candidacy than the Senate, with representatives needing to be at least 25 years old, while senators must be at least 30. Representatives are also elected more frequently, serving two-year terms, while senators are elected for six-year terms.
The House's exclusive powers include initiating all revenue bills, impeaching federal officers, and electing the president if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the Electoral College. The House and Senate both have the authority to pass or defeat federal legislation, and any bills that are passed by both houses are sent to the president for signature or veto.
The structure of Congress was a contentious issue among the founders during the convention. The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was reached, under which the House of Representatives would provide representation proportional to each state's population, and the Senate would provide equal representation for the states.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the US Constitution mentions the House of Representatives in Article 1, Section 2, which outlines the minimum and maximum sizes for the House.
The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the states. Each state is represented based on its population and has at least one representative.
To be elected as a representative, a person must be at least 25 years old, a citizen of the United States for seven years or more, and a resident of the state they represent.
The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment. It also has the power to originate all bills for raising revenue, although the Senate can propose or concur with amendments.
