The House Of Representatives: Constitutional Definition And Details

Article I of the U.S. Constitution outlines the design of the legislative branch of the U.S. government, including the election of Senators and Representatives, the lawmaking process, and the powers of Congress. It establishes that legislative powers are vested in a Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the states, with representatives required to be at least 25 years old, citizens of the U.S. for at least seven years, and inhabitants of the state they represent.

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House of Representatives Qualifications

The House of Representatives is defined in Article I of the US Constitution. This article describes the design of the legislative branch of the US government, which is Congress.

Article I, Section 2 stipulates that Representatives be chosen "by the People of the several States". This means that, as much as is practicable, one person's vote in a congressional election is worth the same as another's. The Constitution also states that the House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states. Electors in each state must have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.

No person can be a Representative unless they are at least 25 years old, have been a citizen of the United States for at least seven years, and are an inhabitant of the state in which they are chosen.

The number of Representatives cannot exceed one for every 30,000 people, and each state must have at least one Representative. Since the Reapportionment Act of 1929, there have been 435 House seats apportioned among the states according to each census.

Election of Representatives

Article I, Section 2 of the United States Constitution outlines the provisions for the House of Representatives, including its composition, qualifications for membership, and the election process for representatives. The specific clause pertaining to the election of representatives is found in Article I, Section 2, Clause 1, commonly referred to as the House Composition Clause or the Congressional Apportionment Clause.

This clause states: "The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature." The clause goes on to describe the allocation of representatives to the states based on population, a process known as apportionment.

The Election of Representatives clause sets forth the fundamental principles and procedures for electing members to the House of Representatives. Firstly, it establishes the frequency of elections, stipulating that representatives shall be chosen "every second Year." This biennial election cycle ensures frequent accountability to the people and allows for responsive representation.

Additionally, the clause grants the power of choosing representatives to the people of the states. This reflects the democratic principle of popular sovereignty, where the people have the right to elect their representatives directly. The use of the term "chosen" indicates that the method of selection is left to the states, which may include methods such as voting, nomination, or other means prescribed by state law. However, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 established a uniform process for electing representatives, ensuring that all citizens have an equal opportunity to participate in the electoral process.

The qualifications for voting in these elections are also addressed in the clause. It states that the electors, or voters, in each state shall possess the qualifications required for voting in the most populous branch of the state legislature. This provision ties the voting qualifications for the House of Representatives to those established by each state for its own legislative elections. However, the Twenty-sixth Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1971, superseded this clause by granting voting rights to citizens aged 18 and older, setting a uniform national standard for voting eligibility.

Furthermore, the Election of Representatives clause addresses the issue of vacancies. It empowers each state's executive, or, as some states prefer, the state's legislature, to issue writs of election to fill any vacancies that may occur between the biennial elections. This ensures that the representation of the people remains complete and that the legislative process can continue uninterrupted.

Number of Representatives

Article I of the U.S. Constitution outlines the design of the legislative branch of the U.S. Government, including the election of Senators and Representatives, the law-making process, and the powers of Congress.

The Number of Representatives outlined in Article I states that there should be no more than one representative for every thirty thousand people. Each state, regardless of population, is guaranteed at least one representative. This is known as the Enumeration Clause, which also outlines the number of representatives apportioned to each state at the time of its creation.

The Constitution also stipulates that Representatives must be chosen every second year by the people of the states. The Electors in each state must meet the qualifications required for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.

The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment. The Constitution outlines that in cases of impeachment, the consequences shall not extend beyond removal from office and disqualification from holding any office of honour, trust, or profit under the United States. The convicted party remains liable to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment according to the law.

Since the enactment of the Reapportionment Act of 1929, there have been 435 House seats apportioned among the states according to each census. The size of the House is not currently a part of the apportionment process.

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House Journals

The US Constitution's Article I defines the House of Representatives. It states that the House of Representatives, along with the Senate, will make up the United States Congress, which will be the recipient of all legislative powers.

The House of Representatives is to be composed of members selected by the people of the various states every second year. No person under the age of 25 who has not been a citizen of the United States for at least seven years and is not a resident of the state they are chosen from can be a Representative. The number of Representatives cannot exceed one for every 30,000 people, and each state must have at least one.

The House of Representatives is required to keep a Journal of its proceedings, according to Article I of the Constitution. The Journal is the official record of the House of Representatives' daily legislative activities, including the outcome of every vote and a general description of the topic. The Journal does not contain a word-for-word account of the debates, but rather a record of all the House's official actions, including every motion and vote. The Journal is updated daily, and a final, complete manuscript is proofed and approved by the Speaker before the next legislative day.

The House Journals are published at the end of each Congress session in hard copy and CD format. They are not available for purchase by the public, but they are distributed to all Members of Congress. The Journals are divided into sections, including recorded proceedings, rules of the House of Representatives, a table of indexes, questions of order, and an appendix.

House Powers

Article I of the U.S. Constitution outlines the design of the legislative branch of the U.S. government, which includes the House of Representatives. This article also covers the separation of powers between the branches of government, the election of Senators and Representatives, the law-making process, and the powers of Congress.

The House of Representatives is one of two components of Congress, the other being the Senate. The House of Representatives is composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states. Each state shall have at least one representative, and the number of representatives for each state is determined by the state's population relative to the population of the whole country.

The House of Representatives has several powers and responsibilities, including:

• Legislative Powers: Along with the Senate, the House of Representatives is responsible for creating and passing laws. This includes the power to raise and support armies, declare war, make rules concerning captures on land and water, and provide for the organisation and discipline of the militia.
• Impeachment: The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment. This means that they can initiate the process of removing a government official from office and disqualifying them from holding any future office.
• Judging Elections and Qualifications: Each House is responsible for judging the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members. This includes determining the qualifications of its members, such as age, citizenship, and residency requirements.
• Compensation for Service: Senators and Representatives receive compensation for their services, which is determined by law and paid out of the U.S. Treasury.
• Journal of Proceedings: Each House must keep a journal of its proceedings, which is published regularly. However, they may choose to keep certain parts secret. Additionally, if one-fifth of those present request it, the votes of the members on a particular question must be entered into the journal.
• Adjournment: Neither House can adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other House. They also cannot meet in a place other than the one designated for both Houses (the Capitol) without the other House's consent.
• Speech and Debate: Senators and Representatives cannot be questioned outside of their respective Houses for any speech or debate that occurs within the House.

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