United States House of Representatives

The United States House of Representatives: The Lower Chamber of Congress

Imagine the United States Capitol as a grand theater, with the Senate as the upper balcony and the House of Representatives as the main stage. This lower chamber is where federal legislation is born, debated, and sometimes even dies. But what exactly does this place do, and how did it come to be?

Structure and Powers

The House passes federal legislation and has exclusive powers such as initiating revenue bills and electing the president. It’s like the starting line in a race; without the House, no bill can even begin its journey towards becoming law.

Membership and Apportionment

Members of the House serve a fixed term of two years and are elected by the people of their state’s congressional district. The composition of the House is based on population, with each state having at least one representative. Currently, there are 435 voting representatives, plus five non-voting delegates representing the District of Columbia and US territories.

A Brief History

The Congress’s structure was a contentious issue during the Constitutional Convention. Edmund Randolph’s Virginia Plan advocated for a bicameral Congress, but after eight years under the Articles of Confederation, the Founding Fathers agreed on the current system. This system has undergone changes over time, including the addition of non-voting delegates in 1913.

Leadership and Power Dynamics

The presiding officer is the Speaker of the House, who is elected by the members. The House has a history dating back to 1789, with the first Congress convening on April 1, 1789. The speaker gained power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the leadership structure developing around the positions of majority leader and minority leader.

Reforms and Changes

In the mid-1970s, the House underwent reforms that strengthened sub-committees and reduced seniority system power. The majority party gained control of the legislative program, with Republican Newt Gingrich arguing that American democracy was being ruined by Democratic tactics. After the 1994 Revolution, Gingrich passed a major legislative program, the Contract with America, and made significant reforms to the House.

Membership, Qualifications, and Apportionment

The Constitution sets three qualifications for representatives: age, citizenship, and residency. Disqualification under the Fourteenth Amendment can occur if a federal or state officer takes an oath to support the Constitution but later engages in rebellion or aids the enemies of the United States.

Elections and Terms

Elections for representatives are held every even-numbered year, on Election Day the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. House districts are based on census data, with the Congress starting its term on January 3 after elections. Seats vacated during a term are filled through special elections unless closer to the next general election date.

Salaries and Benefits

The annual salary for members of the House is $174,000 (same as Senate). Salaries can be adjusted annually based on cost-of-living increases. Members are automatically enrolled in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which consists of Social Security, a basic annuity, and Thrift Savings Plan.

Comparison to the Senate

The House initiates revenue bills, impeaches officials, and chooses presidents; the Senate has ‘advice and consent’ powers. Both chambers require confirmation for vacancies under the Twenty-fifth Amendment.

Daily Procedures

The House meets in the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., with members taking seats as the Clerk calls the roll. Debates begin at one end of the House chamber from a rostrum where the speaker or chair presides. The lower tiers are used by clerks and officials, while members’ seats are arranged in a semicircular pattern facing the rostrum.

Committees

Committees play a key role in reviewing bills and overseeing the executive branch. Committee membership is typically allocated based on party strength, with exceptions for the Rules and Ethics Committees. The largest committee, the Committee of the Whole, consists of all House members and has more flexible debate procedures.

Passage of Legislation

The approval of both the House and Senate is required for a bill to become law, and if there are differences between the two versions, they may be resolved through a conference committee. The president may veto a bill passed by Congress, but it can be overridden if both Houses vote to do so with a two-thirds majority.

Conclusion

The United States House of Representatives is more than just a place where laws are made; it’s the heart of American democracy. From its origins in 1789 to today, this lower chamber has evolved and adapted, but one thing remains constant: its role as the voice of the people.