The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. It is a key component of the bicameral system, with the Senate comprising the upper chamber.
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The House of Representatives has 435 voting members, with each member representing a congressional district for a two-year term.
Members of the House are elected directly by the people, with districts redrawn after each decennial census to maintain equal representation.
The House is responsible for initiating revenue bills, impeaching federal officials, and electing the President if there is no electoral college majority.
The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer and leader of the majority party, responsible for setting the legislative agenda.
The House has exclusive power to initiate impeachment proceedings against the President, Vice President, and other federal officials.
Review Questions
Describe the role of the House of Representatives within the bicameral U.S. Congress.
The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the U.S. Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. As part of the bicameral system, the House works alongside the Senate to enact laws, impeach federal officials, and initiate revenue bills. The House is designed to provide more direct representation, with members elected directly by the people and districts redrawn after each census to maintain equal population representation.
Explain how the structure and composition of the House of Representatives differs from the Senate.
The key differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate lie in their structure and composition. The House has 435 voting members, with each member representing a congressional district for a two-year term. In contrast, the Senate has 100 members, with each state represented by two senators who serve six-year terms. The House is designed to provide more direct representation of the people, while the Senate is intended to provide equal representation for each state, regardless of population.
Analyze the unique powers and responsibilities granted to the House of Representatives within the U.S. Congress.
The House of Representatives has several exclusive powers and responsibilities that differentiate it from the Senate. The House has the sole power to initiate revenue bills, which are essential for funding the government. It also has the exclusive power to impeach the President, Vice President, and other federal officials, initiating the process of removing them from office. Additionally, the House elects the President if there is no electoral college majority, demonstrating its critical role in the executive branch as well. These unique powers highlight the House's importance in the system of checks and balances within the U.S. government.
Related terms
Bicameral Legislature: A legislature that is divided into two separate and distinct chambers or houses, such as the U.S. Congress with the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Unicameral Legislature: A legislature with a single chamber, rather than a bicameral system with two chambers.
Congressional Representation: The system of electing members to the U.S. Congress, where each state is allocated a number of representatives in the House proportional to its population.