Jonah Patel
The Constitution outlines two groups of representatives: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is one of Congress's two chambers and is part of the federal government's legislative branch. The number of voting representatives in the House is fixed by law at no more than 435, proportionally representing the population of the 50 states. The House makes and passes federal laws, introduces bills and resolutions, and serves on committees. The Senate, on the other hand, provides equal representation, with each state represented by two senators. The Senate also plays a role in the legislative process by proposing or concurring with amendments to bills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of voting representatives | Fixed by law at no more than 435 |
| Number of representatives per state | Proportional to population |
| Minimum age to be a representative | 25 years old |
| Citizenship requirement | Citizen of the United States for at least seven years |
| Residency requirement | Inhabitant of the state represented |
| Term length | Two years |
| Powers | Introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, serve on committees |
| Number of representatives per state | Not exceed one for every 30,000 people |
| Minimum number of representatives per state | One |
| Frequency of enumeration | Every ten years |
| Meeting frequency | At least once a year |
| Meeting date | First Monday in December |
| Quorum | Majority of each house |
| Power to expel a member | Two-thirds concurrence |
| Leadership | Speaker, majority and minority leaders, assistant leaders, whips, party caucus or conference |
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What You'll Learn
The House of Representatives
The number of voting representatives in the House is fixed by law at no more than 435, proportionally representing the population of the 50 states. Each state has at least one representative, with the number of representatives per state proportional to its population. The House of Representatives represents citizens based on district populations, while the Senate represents citizens on an equal state basis.
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The Senate
The U.S. Senate is one of the two chambers of Congress, the other being the House of Representatives. The Senate was conceived at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, where the framers of the Constitution established its structure and powers. The Senate was designed to be a small, deliberative, and independent body to counter the popular influence in the national government.
The qualifications to be elected to the Senate are stricter than those for the House. A senator must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States for nine years or more, and a resident of the state they represent. Senators receive compensation for their services, which is ascertained by law and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They are privileged from arrest in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace.
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Qualifications of Representatives
The qualifications for Representatives are outlined in Article I, Section 2, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution. This section states that "No Person shall be a Representative" unless they meet the following criteria: they must have "attained to the age of twenty-five years", have been a citizen of the United States for "seven years", and "when elected, be an inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen". These requirements were put in place to ensure that representatives were close to the people they represented and to prevent foreign interference in domestic politics.
The Constitution, therefore, sets a minimum age, citizenship, and residency requirement for representatives. The age requirement was originally set at 21, the voting age, but was increased to 25 during the Federal Constitutional Convention, with George Mason of Virginia arguing that there should be a period between being free to manage one's own affairs and managing the "affairs of a great nation". The citizenship requirement was also a response to British restrictions on those serving in the Commons at the time the Constitution was written, which prevented anyone born outside England or its empire from serving, even if they had subsequently become a citizen.
The residency requirement, meanwhile, ensures that representatives have a direct connection to the state they represent. This requirement has been interpreted to mean that representatives must live in the state they represent, though not necessarily the same district. This interpretation has been upheld by the House of Representatives, which has the authority to determine whether members-elect are qualified to be seated, as outlined in Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution. For example, the House refused to administer the oath of office to Representative John Young Brown of Kentucky until he turned 25, despite him being elected at the age of 24.
In addition to these qualifications, representatives must also be elected by the people of the states they represent, with each state having at least one representative. The number of representatives is proportional to the population of each state, with the number not exceeding one for every thirty thousand people. Representatives are chosen every second year and are responsible for introducing bills and resolutions, offering amendments, and serving on committees, among other duties.
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Powers of Representatives
The Constitution outlines the powers of the two chambers of Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is made up of members chosen every second year by the people of the various states. Each representative serves a two-year term and represents the people of a specific congressional district. There are currently 435 voting representatives, with each state having at least one representative, though the number per state is proportional to its population.
The House of Representatives has the power to make and pass federal laws. Representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and serve on committees. They also have the sole power of impeachment and the power to choose their Speaker and other officers.
Senate
The Senate, on the other hand, has equal representation from each state, with two Senators from each state chosen by the state legislature for six-year terms. The Senate has the sole power to try all impeachments.
Congress
Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, as well as to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Indian tribes. It can also establish uniform rules of naturalization and uniform laws on bankruptcy throughout the United States. Congress can also declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water.
Congress also has the power to enforce the abolition of slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crimes, and to ensure that no state makes or enforces any law that abridges the privileges or immunities of US citizens. It also has the power to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes. Additionally, Congress can enforce the right of citizens to vote and ensure that it is not denied or abridged on account of sex.
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Elections and Vacancies
The U.S. Constitution, in Article I, outlines the structure and powers of Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, with a maximum of 435 voting representatives, proportionally representing the population of the 50 states. Each state has at least one representative, and to be eligible for election, a person must be at least 25 years old, a citizen of the United States for seven years, and a resident of the state they represent.
The Constitution grants the state legislatures the power to determine the times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives. However, Congress may alter these regulations, except for the places of choosing senators. Each House acts as the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members, and a majority constitutes a quorum to conduct business.
The House of Representatives elects its Speaker and other officers and holds the sole power of impeachment. When vacancies occur in the House due to a state's representation, the executive authority of that state issues writs of election to fill the vacancies.
The Senate, on the other hand, has equal representation from each state, with each state represented by two senators. Senators are elected for six-year terms, and every two years, a third of the Senate is up for re-election. The Senate does not adopt a new set of rules at the start of each Congress, contributing to its identity as a "continuing body."
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Frequently asked questions
The House of Representatives is one of two chambers of Congress, the other being the Senate. The House of Representatives makes and passes federal laws. The number of voting representatives in the House is fixed by law at no more than 435, proportionally representing the population of the 50 states.
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. Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms.
The Senate is the other chamber of Congress. Senators are elected for six-year terms, and every two years 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election. The U.S. territories and the District of Columbia are not represented in the Senate.
To be elected to the U.S. Senate, 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.
