Jonah Patel
The United States House of Representatives, also known as the House, is the lower house of the bicameral United States Congress. The number of voting members in the House was fixed at 435 in 1911, with each member representing a set number of constituents. The number of representatives per state is proportionate to the population, with each state receiving a minimum of one representative. The House's composition was established by Article One of the United States Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of members | 435 |
| Fixed term | 2 years |
| Minimum age | 25 years |
| Citizenship | Citizen of the United States for at least 7 years |
| Residency | Resident of the state that they represent |
| Number of senators per state | 2 |
| Number of delegates from District of Columbia and US territories | 5 |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution requires a minimum of one representative per state
- The number of voting House members was fixed at 435 in 1911
- The US Constitution outlines the qualifications to be a representative
- The House's exclusive powers include initiating revenue bills
- Territories like Puerto Rico are represented by resident commissioners who cannot vote and serve longer terms
The US Constitution requires a minimum of one representative per state
The United States House of Representatives, also referred to as Congress, is the lower house of a bicameral system, with the Senate being the upper house. The US Constitution, under Article One, outlines the composition of the House, which 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 led to the Permanent Seat of Government Act, establishing the nation's federal capital in Washington, DC.
The US Constitution requires that each state have at least one representative in the House. This is the only constitutional rule relating to the size of the House, with the number of representatives per state being proportionate to the population. The Constitution does not provide for the representation of the District of Columbia or of US territories.
The number of voting members in the House was fixed at 435 in 1911, with this number being temporarily increased to 437 in 1959 when Alaska and Hawaii were admitted as states. This number was reverted to 435 following the 1960 census. 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.
Members of the House are elected every two years by the people of the various states, with each state determining the rules and manner of holding elections for their representatives. Each representative 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.
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The number of voting House members was fixed at 435 in 1911
The number of voting members of the House of Representatives, also known as Congress, was fixed at 435 in 1911. This number was set by Public Law 62-5 on August 8, 1911, and came into effect in 1913.
The House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper house. 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 led to the Permanent Seat of Government Act that established the nation's federal capital in Washington, DC.
The number of representatives per state is proportionate to the population. Each state is guaranteed at least one representative, and the Constitution states that the number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand people. Before the number was fixed, Congress regularly increased the size of the House to account for population growth. After each decennial census, the House of Representatives would increase in size.
Members of the House of Representatives are elected to two-year terms, and each representative serves the people of a specific congressional district. To be eligible for election, 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 that they represent.
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The US Constitution outlines the qualifications to be a representative
The US Constitution, in Article I, outlines the role of the legislative branch of the federal government, which includes the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives has the power to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officers, and elect the president if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the Electoral College. The Constitution also states that each state shall have at least one representative, with the number of representatives not exceeding one for every thirty thousand people. The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states.
The founders of the US Constitution wanted the House of Representatives to be the legislative chamber closest to the people, hence the minimal requirements of age, citizenship, and residency. The Constitution also requires that members of the House take an oath to support the Constitution before exercising their duties. The House has the authority to determine whether members-elect are qualified to be seated, as per Article I, section 5 of the Constitution.
The US Constitution also outlines the privileges and protections afforded to Senators and Representatives. They shall be compensated for their services, and in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, they are privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses. They cannot be questioned outside of the House for any speech or debate that takes place within it. Additionally, no Senator or Representative shall be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States during their term of election.
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The House's exclusive powers include initiating revenue bills
The United States House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper house. The House of Representatives has 435 voting members, with each state having at least one representative. The number of representatives is based on each state's population.
The House of Representatives has exclusive powers, including initiating revenue bills. This power is known as the Origination Clause, which states that "All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives." This clause is based on the British parliamentary model, where the House of Commons had the sole authority to initiate all types of money bills. The drafters of the US Constitution intended to mirror this authority and grant control over all money bills to the House.
The Origination Clause has evolved through practice and precedent since the Constitution was drafted. While it grants the House the exclusive power to initiate revenue-raising bills, it does not provide specific guidelines on what constitutes a "bill for raising revenue." The Senate may also propose amendments to these bills, as it would with other types of bills.
The House's power to initiate revenue bills is significant because it gives the House control over the "purse strings" of the government. This power allows the House to have a direct say in how the government's money is spent and how taxes are levied. It is an essential check and balance on the power of the Senate and the President in the legislative process.
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Territories like Puerto Rico are represented by resident commissioners who cannot vote and serve longer terms
The United States Constitution does not provide for the representation of territories like Puerto Rico in the House. However, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories are represented in the House by non-voting members called delegates or resident commissioners. These representatives do not have the right to vote on legislation in the full House but have floor privileges and can participate in certain other House functions, such as introducing legislation and voting in House committees.
Puerto Rico's representative in the House is referred to as a resident commissioner, while the other four inhabited U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) are each represented by a delegate. These non-voting members are elected every two years, except for the resident commissioner of Puerto Rico, who is elected every four years, serving a longer term.
The role of Puerto Rico's resident commissioner has evolved over time. Initially, Puerto Rico was considered a colony rather than a territory, and its resident commissioner did not have the same privileges as delegates. However, since 1993, the rules governing the rights of non-voting members have changed, and the resident commissioner now enjoys similar privileges to full House members, including compensation, benefits, and franking privileges.
Puerto Rico also has its own House of Representatives, which, along with the Senate of Puerto Rico, holds legislative power over the government of Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican House of Representatives has exclusive powers, such as initiating impeachment proceedings and introducing revenue bills. Elections for this body are held every four years, with the last election taking place on November 3, 2020, and the next one scheduled for November 5, 2024.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 435 voting members in the House of Representatives, with each state having at least one representative. The number of representatives per state is proportionate to the population of that state.
To be elected to the House of Representatives, 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 that they represent.
The House of Representatives has the authority to pass or defeat federal legislation, known as bills. They also have exclusive powers such as initiating all revenue bills, impeaching federal officers, and electing the president if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the Electoral College.
