Malcolm Rivera
The House of Representatives is one of the most important bodies in the United States government, with a wide range of duties and responsibilities. The House is responsible for representing citizens based on district populations, with each state having at least one representative. The House has the power to introduce and pass legislation, control taxation and spending, and serve as a critical link between the executive and legislative branches. The Speaker of the House, as the leader of the majority political party, plays a key role in these duties. In this article, we will explore the various responsibilities of the House of Representatives, as outlined in the Constitution, and the important role they play in governing the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second year by the People of the several States. |
| Members' Qualifications | No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty-five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen. |
| Members' Apportionment | Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other Persons. |
| Powers | The Congress shall have the Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; to borrow Money on the credit of the United States; to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; to establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States; to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof. |
| Duties | Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member; each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings and shall publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place. |
| Speaker's Role | The Speaker is the majority political party leader in the House, controlling the order of all institutional business on the House floor, and voting on business as needed as a representative from a Congressional district. |
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What You'll Learn
The Speaker of the House
Firstly, the Speaker is the majority political party leader in the House. The Speaker also controls the order of all business on the House floor and votes on business as needed as a representative from a Congressional district. In these roles, the Speaker acts as a negotiator between the House and the president and with the Senate. The Speaker is also second in line to the presidency under the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 and plays a role in the 25th Amendment's process of dealing with presidential disability.
The Speaker is chosen by the House at the beginning of a new Congress, biennially, after a general election, or when a Speaker dies, resigns, or is removed from the position during a congressional term. The Speaker is usually selected during party meetings before a new Congress meets, and the House confirms the selection by individual voice votes. The Speaker does not have to be an incumbent member of the House of Representatives, although every Speaker thus far has been.
The Speaker's duties include calling to order and the approval of the Journal, referring bills and other matters to committee, disposing of business on the Speaker's table, designating a Speaker pro tempore, and appointing Chairmen of the Committee of the Whole. The Speaker also recognises members, states a question in prescribed form, supervises the timing of debate and other proceedings in the House, and rules on points of order and responds to parliamentary inquiries. The Speaker also makes appointments pursuant to statute, House rules, and House resolutions, and certifies to a U.S. Attorney persons found to be in contempt of a House committee.
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House members' conduct
The conduct of members of the House of Representatives is governed by the rules and statutes outlined by the Committee on Ethics. The Committee on Ethics has jurisdiction over the conduct of members, officers, and employees while they are performing their official duties.
The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states. Each state is represented in the House based on its population and has at least one representative. 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.
The House has several standing committees with legislative jurisdictions. These committees consider bills and issues and recommend measures for consideration by the House. Committees also have oversight responsibilities to monitor agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions. The House may also form special or select committees for a short period and a specific purpose, often an investigation.
The Speaker of the House is the majority political party leader and has several important constitutional roles. They control the order of institutional business on the House floor and vote on business as needed. The Speaker also plays a key role in negotiating between the House and the President and with the Senate.
The House has the power to make its own rules of proceeding, but it must not ignore constitutional restraints or violate fundamental rights. The House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and expel a member with the concurrence of two-thirds.
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House members' voting rights
The US Constitution outlines the powers and duties of the House of Representatives, also referred to as Congress. The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states. Each state is represented in the House based on its population and has at least one representative.
The Constitution states that the House of Representatives shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members. A majority of the House constitutes a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may be authorised to compel the attendance of absent members. The House may also determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and expel a member with the concurrence of two-thirds.
The House has the power to make and pass laws and legislation, and each representative may 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 also has the sole power of impeachment, and the Speaker of the House, chosen by the House, plays a critical role in originating and passing legislation.
The House's standing committees have different legislative jurisdictions and consider bills and issues, recommending measures for consideration by the House. Committees also have oversight responsibilities to monitor agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions. The House may also form special committees for specific purposes, often for investigations.
The Constitution further outlines that every order, resolution, or vote that requires the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives must be presented to the President of the United States for approval. The Congress, as a whole, has the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay debts, and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States.
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House members' qualifications
The qualifications for membership of the House of Representatives are outlined in Article I, Section 2, Clause 2 of the US Constitution. This is known as the House Qualifications Clause. The requirements are that members must be at least 25 years old, have been a US citizen for at least seven years, and live in the state they represent at the time of election.
The Framers of the Constitution gave careful consideration to what the office of a House member would require. They reasoned that a 25-year age requirement would ensure that members had sufficient maturity to perform their duties. A seven-year citizenship requirement would allow foreign-born citizens to participate in the government while ensuring they had sufficient knowledge of the US and were unlikely to be influenced by loyalty to another country.
The qualifications for the Senate are more rigorous than those for the House. Senators must be at least 30 years old, have been a US citizen for at least nine years, and live in the state they represent at the time of election.
The House has the authority to determine whether members-elect are qualified to be seated. For instance, William Claiborne of Tennessee became the youngest person to ever serve in the House when he was elected and seated in 1797 at the age of 22. The House also seated Claiborne at the age of 24 when he won re-election. However, the House has not always been so lenient. Representative John Young Brown of Kentucky was first elected to the House in 1859, but the House refused to administer the oath of office to him until he was 25—after the first session of Congress was over.
The qualifications listed in Clause 2 are considered exclusive, and it has been established that Congress cannot add to them by excluding members-elect who do not meet additional qualifications. However, Congress has interpreted the House Qualifications Clause to require only that members meet age and citizenship qualifications at the time they take the oath of office.
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House members' legislative duties
The legislative duties of members of the House of Representatives, also referred to as congressmen or congresswomen, are outlined in Article 1, Section 2 of the US Constitution. Each representative is elected to a two-year term, serving the people of a specific congressional district.
The Constitution states that each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members. A majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may be authorised to compel the attendance of absent members. Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.
Additionally, each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings and publish it, except for parts deemed confidential. The yeas and nays of the members of either House on any question shall be entered into the journal at the request of one-fifth of those present. Neither House may adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other during a session of Congress.
The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment and is responsible for introducing bills and resolutions, offering amendments, and serving on committees. The number of representatives with full voting rights is 435, with each state having at least one representative. The number of representatives per state is proportional to its population. Committees within the House have different legislative jurisdictions and consider bills, issues, and recommend measures for consideration by the House. They also have oversight responsibilities to monitor agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions.
The House also has the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution the powers vested by the Constitution in the US government. This includes the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises to pay debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the country. The House also has the power to borrow money on the credit of the United States, regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states, and establish uniform rules for naturalization and bankruptcy laws.
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Frequently asked questions
The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states.
A member of the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old, a United States citizen for at least seven years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent.
The House of Representatives has two main duties: making laws and scrutinising the work of the government.
The Committee on Ethics has jurisdiction over the rules and statutes governing the conduct of members, officers, and employees while performing their official duties.
