The U.S. House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the U.S. Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. The House has 435 voting members, who are elected by the people of the 50 states every two years. The House also has six non-voting members, who represent the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. The House is responsible for making laws, along with the U.S. Senate, the upper chamber of Congress.
History and Structure of the House
The House of Representatives was established by the U.S. Constitution in 1789, as part of the bicameral system of government. The framers of the Constitution wanted the House to represent the popular will of the people, while the Senate would represent the interests of the states. The number of representatives from each state is based on the state’s population, which is determined by a census every 10 years. The first Congress had 65 representatives, and the number has grown over time as new states joined the union and the population increased. The current number of 435 representatives was fixed by law in 1911, and has been reapportioned among the states after each census.
The House of Representatives is organized into political parties, which are groups of members who share similar views and goals. The party with the majority of members is called the majority party, and the party with the fewer members is called the minority party. The majority party elects the Speaker of the House, who is the leader of the House and the second in line to the presidency after the vice president. The Speaker presides over the House sessions, appoints committee chairs and members, and sets the legislative agenda. The minority party elects the minority leader, who is the chief spokesperson and strategist of the opposition. The minority leader works with the Speaker to ensure the smooth functioning of the House and the rights of the minority.
The House of Representatives has several committees, which are smaller groups of members who specialize in specific areas of legislation. The committees hold hearings, conduct investigations, and draft bills on various topics, such as agriculture, education, foreign affairs, and health. The most powerful committee in the House is the Rules Committee, which decides the order and terms of debate for bills on the House floor. The House also has caucuses, which are informal associations of members who share common interests or backgrounds, such as the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Women’s Caucus.
Functions and Powers of the House
The House of Representatives has several functions and powers that are granted by the Constitution or by tradition. Some of these are:
- Lawmaking: The House of Representatives can introduce and pass bills on any subject, except for revenue bills, which must originate in the House. The House can also amend, reject, or override bills passed by the Senate. A bill must pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the president to become a law.
- Oversight: The House of Representatives can oversee and check the executive branch, which includes the president, the vice president, and the federal agencies. The House can conduct investigations, issue subpoenas, hold hearings, and impeach federal officials for misconduct.
- Representation: The House of Representatives can represent the views and interests of their constituents, who are the people who live in their districts. The House can communicate with their constituents, respond to their requests and complaints, and advocate for their needs and concerns.
- Budgeting: The House of Representatives can control the federal budget, which is the plan for how the government spends and raises money. The House can approve or reject the president’s budget proposal, and decide the funding levels for the federal programs and agencies.
- Electoral: The House of Representatives can play a role in the presidential election, if no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes. In that case, the House can choose the president from the top three candidates, with each state delegation having one vote.
Interesting Facts About the House
The House of Representatives has a rich and diverse history, and some of the interesting facts about the House are:
- The youngest person ever elected to the House was William C. C. Claiborne, who was 22 years old when he represented Tennessee in 1797. The oldest person ever elected to the House was Storm Thurmond, who was 94 years old when he represented South Carolina in 1996.
- The first woman elected to the House was Jeannette Rankin, who represented Montana in 1917. The first African American elected to the House was Joseph Rainey, who represented South Carolina in 1870. The first Hispanic elected to the House was Romualdo Pacheco, who represented California in 1877.
- The longest-serving member of the House was John Dingell, who represented Michigan for 59 years, from 1955 to 2015. The shortest-serving member of the House was James J. Murphy, who represented New York for one day, on March 4, 1933.
- The House of Representatives has its own flag, seal, and motto. The flag is white with a blue eagle holding a shield, a scroll, and an olive branch. The seal is similar to the flag, but with a circle of stars around the eagle. The motto is “Vox Populi”, which means “Voice of the People” in Latin.
- The House of Representatives has its own traditions and customs, such as the opening prayer, the pledge of allegiance, the gavel, and the mace. The opening prayer is delivered by the chaplain, who is a clergy member appointed by the Speaker. The pledge of allegiance is recited by the members and the visitors at the beginning of each session. The gavel is a wooden hammer used by the Speaker to call the House to order and to signal the votes. The mace is a ceremonial staff that symbolizes the authority of the House, and is carried by the sergeant-at-arms, who is the chief security officer of the House.
