The House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. It is comprised of 435 members who are elected every two years by the people of their respective districts.
The number of representatives each state is entitled to is based on its population, as determined by the US Census conducted every 10 years.
The House of Representatives has the power to initiate spending bills, impeach federal officials, and elect a President or Vice President if no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes in a presidential or vice presidential election.
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives is the Speaker of the House, who is elected by the members of the House.
House of Representatives Facts
1. The House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress
The House of Representatives and the Senate are the two chambers of the United States Congress, with the House being the lower chamber and the Senate being the upper chamber.
Also Read: Facts About the Senate
Together, they make up the legislative branch of the federal government, and their primary responsibility is to make and pass laws.
2. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 members
The House of Representatives is composed of 435 members, who are elected every two years by the people of their respective districts in a process known as direct election.
The number of representatives each state is entitled to is based on its population, as determined by the US Census conducted every 10 years.
In addition to the 435 voting members, there are also 6 non-voting members, representing the District of Columbia, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.
3. The number of representatives each state is entitled to is based on its population
The number of representatives each state is entitled to is determined by its population, as determined by the US Census conducted every 10 years.
This process is known as apportionment, and it is done to ensure that each state has representation in the House of Representatives that is proportional to its population.
The Constitution requires that the House of Representatives be reapportioned every 10 years, and the most recent apportionment occurred after the 2020 Census.
4. The presiding officer of the House of Representatives is the Speaker of the House
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives is the Speaker of the House, who is elected by the members of the House. The Speaker of the House is third in line for the presidency, after the Vice President and the President pro tempore of the Senate.
The Speaker’s main responsibilities include presiding over House sessions, setting the legislative agenda, and appointing members to committees. The current Speaker of the House is Nancy Pelosi, who has served in that role since 2019.
5. The Speaker of the House is second in the line of succession to the presidency
The Speaker of the House is second in the line of succession to the presidency, after the Vice President. This means that if the President and Vice President are both unable to serve, the Speaker of the House would become the next in line to assume the presidency.
6. Members of the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old
Members of the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old, have been a US citizen for at least seven years, and be a resident of the state they represent.
These qualifications are specified in the Constitution and are meant to ensure that members of the House are mature, experienced, and have a stake in the state they represent.
7. The House of Representatives has the power to impeach federal officials
The House of Representatives has the power to impeach federal officials, including the President of the United States. Impeachment is the process by which Congress can charge a federal official with “high crimes and misdemeanors” and bring them to trial. If the official is found guilty, they can be removed from office.
8. Bills can originate in either the House of Representatives or the Senate
Bills can originate in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, but must be passed by both chambers before being sent to the President for approval or veto.
This process is known as the bicameral legislative process, and it ensures that both chambers have an opportunity to shape and debate proposed legislation before it becomes law.
9. The House of Representatives has the power to initiate spending bills
The House of Representatives has the power to initiate spending bills, which must be approved by the Senate as well.
This means that the House has the power to propose and pass legislation related to government spending, but the Senate also has to approve it before it can become law.
10. The House of Representatives is often referred to as the “lower house”
The House of Representatives is often referred to as the “lower house” of Congress, while the Senate is the “upper house.”
This terminology reflects the fact that the House of Representatives is the larger of the two chambers, and its members are elected by popular vote, while the Senate has a smaller number of members who are elected by the state legislatures.
11. The House of Representatives has the power to elect a President
The House of Representatives has the power to elect a President if no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes in a presidential election.
This process is known as a contingent election, and it has only been used twice in US history: in 1801 and 1825.
In a contingent election, each state delegation in the House of Representatives casts one vote for President, and the candidate who receives a majority of the votes (i.e., at least 26 votes) becomes the President.
This process is only used if no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes, and it is intended as a fallback method to ensure that the country has a President even in the absence of a clear winner in the electoral college.
12. The House of Representatives also has the power to elect a Vice President
The House of Representatives does not have the power to elect a Vice President in the event that no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes in a vice presidential election. Instead, in such a scenario, the Vice President is elected by the Senate, not the House of Representatives.
According to the 12th Amendment of the US Constitution, if no candidate for Vice President receives a majority of the electoral votes, the Senate chooses the Vice President from the two candidates with the highest number of electoral votes.
Each Senator has one vote, and the candidate who receives a majority of the votes (i.e., at least 51 votes) becomes the Vice President.
This process has only been used once in US history, in 1837, when the Senate elected Richard M. Johnson as Vice President after no candidate received a majority of the electoral votes in the 1836 election.
13. The House of Representatives has the power to create committees
The House of Representatives has the power to create committees to oversee specific issues and topics, such as agriculture, education, and energy.
These committees are responsible for conducting hearings, receiving testimony, and crafting legislation related to their assigned issues. Each committee is led by a chairperson, who is typically a senior member of the majority party in the House.
The chairperson is responsible for setting the committee’s agenda and leading its activities, with the support of other committee members.
The House of Representatives has a number of standing committees that exist permanently, as well as select committees that are created for specific purposes and for a limited time period.
The work of these committees is an important part of the legislative process and helps to shape the policies and laws that govern the country.
14. Members of the House of Representatives are often referred to as “Congressmen” or “Congresswomen.”
Members of the House of Representatives are often referred to as “Congressmen” or “Congresswomen.” This is a common term used to refer to members of Congress, which includes both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
However, some members of the House of Representatives prefer to be referred to as “Representative” instead of “Congressman” or “Congresswoman” as it emphasizes their role as a representative of their district rather than a member of Congress.
15. The House of Representatives meets in the United States Capitol
The House of Representatives meets in the United States Capitol building, which is located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
The Capitol building is the home of the legislative branch of the federal government, which includes the House of Representatives, the Senate, and various offices and support staff. The House chamber is located on the south side of the Capitol building, and it is where members of the House meet to debate and vote on legislation.
The Capitol building is an iconic symbol of American democracy and is open to the public for tours and visits.