Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution outlines the powers and duties of the House of Representatives, also known as the House. The House represents citizens based on district populations, while the Senate represents citizens on an equal state basis. This agreement was part of what is called The Great Compromise. The House's powers include the sole power of impeachment, the power to judge elections, and the ability to determine the rules of its proceedings. The Constitution also sets out minimum and maximum sizes for the House, as well as requirements for representatives, including a minimum age of 25 and a minimum of seven years as a US citizen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legislative Powers | Vested in a Congress of the United States, consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives |
| Composition of the House of Representatives | Members chosen every second year by the people of the states |
| Minimum Age of Representatives | 25 years |
| Citizenship Requirement | 7 years as a US citizen |
| Residence Requirement | Must be an inhabitant of the state they represent |
| Apportionment of Representatives and Direct Taxes | Based on the respective numbers of the states, including the number of free persons and three-fifths of all other persons |
| Meeting Frequency | At least once a year, on the first Monday in December, unless a different day is appointed by law |
| Quorum Requirement | Majority of each House to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn or compel attendance of absent members |
| Rule-Making Authority | Each House may determine its rules of proceedings, with certain limitations |
| Disciplinary Powers | Each House may punish its members for disorderly behaviour and expel a member with the concurrence of two-thirds |
| Record-Keeping | Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, maintaining secrecy for certain parts |
| Power of Impeachment | Solely vested in the House of Representatives |
| Power to Declare War | Included in the powers of the Houses, along with granting letters of marque and reprisal and making rules concerning captures |
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What You'll Learn
Minimum and maximum sizes
The US Constitution, as drafted by the Convention, aimed to create a government with enough power to act at a national level, but without risking fundamental rights. The Constitution divides the power of government into three branches, with checks and balances to ensure no one branch becomes too powerful.
Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution sets out the minimum and maximum sizes for the House of Representatives. Each state is represented in the House based on its population and has at least one representative. Representatives must be at least 25 years old, a US citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state they represent.
The House represents citizens based on district populations, while the Senate represents citizens on an equal state basis. This agreement was part of The Great Compromise, which established the nation's federal capital in Washington.
The US Senate differs from the House of Representatives in its election requirements. To be elected to the Senate, a person must be at least 30 years old, a US citizen for nine years or more, and a resident of the state they represent. Senators are elected for six-year terms, with a third of the Senate up for re-election every two years.
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House leadership
The Speaker of the House is one of the most important elected officials in the country. The Speaker is selected by the House members, usually through party meetings before a new Congress meets, and confirmed by individual voice votes. Interestingly, the Speaker doesn't have to be a member of the House, although this has not been the case so far. The Speaker acts as the leader of the House, combining various institutional and administrative roles. They are second in line to the presidency and play a crucial role in the 25th Amendment's process regarding presidential disability.
Majority and Minority Leaders are also vital components of House leadership. The Majority Leader is responsible for setting the legislative agenda, scheduling legislation, and coordinating committee activity. They represent their party on the House floor. On the other hand, the Minority Leader serves as the floor leader of the opposition party and is the counterpart to the Speaker. They advocate for the minority party's policies and work to protect their rights.
Assistant leaders, commonly known as whips, are the second-ranking members of each party's leadership. Whips assist in managing their party's legislative program and are responsible for gathering votes from their respective parties on significant issues. The House also consists of standing committees with legislative jurisdictions. These committees consider bills and issues, make recommendations to the House, and have oversight responsibilities to monitor agencies and programs within their purview.
The Rules Committee, weighted in favour of the majority party, controls which bills go to the House floor and sets the terms of debate. The House leadership structure ensures a balance between the majority and minority parties, allowing for effective lawmaking and representation of citizens' interests.
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Citizen representation
The House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of Congress, the other being the Senate. The House is intended to represent the interests of the people more directly than the Senate, as its members are chosen every two years by the people of the states. The Senate, on the other hand, was designed to provide equal representation for each state, with two senators from each state, regardless of population. This arrangement, known as The Great Compromise, was a compromise between large and small states during the drafting of the Constitution.
The House of Representatives has several powers and duties outlined in the Constitution. These include the power to choose their speaker and other officers, as well as the sole power of impeachment. The House also has legislative powers, including the power to raise and support armies, declare war, and make rules concerning captures on land and water. The House's standing committees play an important role in this process, as they consider bills and issues and recommend measures for consideration by the House.
In addition to these specific powers and duties, the House of Representatives has more general powers to determine its rules of proceedings and manage its internal affairs. The House may punish its members for disorderly behaviour and expel a member with the concurrence of two-thirds. The House also has the power to judge the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members, and to compel the attendance of absent members. These powers allow the House to maintain order and ensure the smooth functioning of its proceedings.
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Powers and duties
The US Constitution established a legislative branch, known as Congress, which consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. Congress enacts laws that influence the lives of all Americans and is intended to serve as the voice of the people. Each state is represented in the House based on its population and has at least one representative. Representatives are elected to two-year terms and introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees. The number of representatives with full voting rights is 435, with the number per state proportionate to population.
The House of Representatives has certain powers and duties, including the power to judge elections, investigate expenditures made to influence nominations, and issue warrants for the arrest of witnesses. The House also has rules governing the conduct of its members, officers, and employees, and determines its rules of proceedings.
The Rules Committee controls which bills go to the House Floor and the terms of debate. The Committee has traditionally been weighted in favour of the majority party, with 9 majority and 4 minority members. The House, along with the Senate, has the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, as well as to borrow money on behalf of the US, regulate commerce, and establish uniform rules of naturalization and bankruptcy laws.
While the House and the Senate work together to pass legislation, they have their own roles and responsibilities. No bill can become a law without passing both houses of Congress. The House of Representatives also has the duty to keep a journal and the power to expel members for misconduct.
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Qualifications of members
The qualifications of members of the House of Representatives are outlined in Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. This article sets out three qualifications that representatives must meet. Firstly, they must be at least 25 years old. Secondly, they must have been a citizen of the United States for at least seven years. And finally, they must be an inhabitant of the state they represent at the time of the election. These requirements are the maximum that can be imposed on a candidate, and they apply to both the House and the Senate.
The Constitution grants each House the power to be the judge of the qualifications of its members. This means that each House can determine whether its members meet the required qualifications and can expel members with a two-thirds majority. While Congress has, at times, deviated from the principle that qualifications should be limited to those listed in the Constitution, it has consistently rejected attempts by individual states to add to these qualifications. For example, in 1807, the House seated a member who did not meet a state's 12-month residency requirement, ruling that this additional qualification was unconstitutional.
The qualifications for membership in the House of Representatives have been the subject of legal disputes. In the case of Powell v. McCormack, the Supreme Court affirmed that the qualifications set out in the Constitution are exclusive and cannot be added to by Congress or the states. This decision was reaffirmed in U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton in 1995. However, there have been instances where individuals have been excluded from the House on other grounds, such as allegations of disloyalty during World War I, which resulted in the exclusion of a socialist Member-elect.
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Frequently asked questions
The House of Representatives is a body of the United States Congress, which consists of members chosen every second year by the people of the states.
A representative must be at least 25 years old, a US citizen for at least seven years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent.
The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment. It also has the power to declare war, raise and support armies, and make rules concerning captures on land and water.
The House of Representatives is responsible for introducing and passing legislation. It also has the power to set its rules of proceedings and punish its members for disorderly behaviour.
The House of Representatives represents citizens based on district populations, while the Senate represents citizens on an equal state basis. This agreement was part of what is known as The Great Compromise.
