House of Representative

What is the composition and functions of the House of
Representation under the U.S constitution?

1) Introduction
● The House of Representative is one of Congress's two chambers, and part of the federal
government's legislative branch. The legislature of the United States is called congress,
the bicameral body. The upper house is called the Senate and lower house is called the
House of Representatives and the main function of the congress is to make law. The
number of
Voting representatives in the House are fixed by law and no more than 435, as well
as they all are representing the population of the 50 states.
2) Composition of Congress
Article 1 sec 1 of the U.S constitution shows that congress is a bicameral body. It consists
of two houses
1) Senate
2) House of Representatives
3) Composition of House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the United States Congress. The
composition and powers of the House are established by Article 1 of the United States
Constitution. It is popular house of congress and more responsible to the public then the senate
I. Number of representatives
● Congress had made an Act of 1920, this Act limits the membership to 435 permanently,
which was originally 65
II. Term of House of Representatives

● In united states constitution the term of House of Representation has been fixed which
is only for two (2) years
4) Qualification and election of House of representative

1. Qualifications:
Following are the qualifications of the representatives
a. Age
● A candidate must 25 years old in age otherwise candidate will not eligible
b. Citizenship
● A candidate must be citizen of the U.S.A for at least 7 years
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c. Residence
● A candidate must be resident of the state from where he wants to take part in election
d. Not to hold office of profit

● Candidate must not hold any office of profit under the government of U.S
2. Election of Representative
● The House of Representatives has a fixed number of 435 members. Its members serve
for two years and after every two years members will be chosen by the people who are
at least 18 years of age.
● And these elections will hold in 50 U.S states
5) Presiding officer of house of Representatives

● The speaker is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives. The members of
the House of Representatives choose their speaker itself at the time when congress
meets for the first time after the elections
6) Committee of House of Representatives

● House of Representatives makes of number of committees and most of the official work
is done by these committees
7) Powers of House of Representatives

Since U.S has a presidential form of government it’s lower chamber does not play the vital role
but the chief job of the House of Representatives is to represent the interests of the people
The powers of House of Representatives can be categorized as under:
I. Legislative powers
● The House of Representatives has equal powers and authority in the making laws or
legislation with the coordination of the senate. Ordinary bills can be initiated by any of
the chamber
II. Financial powers

● The House of Representatives solely has powers to initiate the revenue bills
III. Judicial powers

● The House of Representatives participates in impeachment cases and it has empowered
to take action against the president or other civil officers

IV. Executive powers
● The executive powers are in the hands of both houses. Both houses can declare war
and conclude peace. Both senators and representatives are equally responsible to
exercise their powers
V. Constitutional amendment power

● The house of representatives participates in constitutional amendments and
amendments can be made by the two third majority of both houses
VI. Electoral power

● It depends upon the election of president when no candidate gain high majority of votes
then house of representatives can elect three highest vote gainers for nomination of
president
8) House of Representatives a weak house

The House of Representatives is a weak house. Following are the reasons and causes of the
weakness of the House of Representatives.
VII. Powerful role of senate

● The U.S. Senate proposes and considers new laws, approves or rejects presidential
nominations, provides advice and consent on international treaties, and serves as the
high court for impeachment trials
VIII. Short term

● The term of the House of Representatives is only 2 years which is very short. The
members works very disappointedly because of their shorter term
IX. No executive control

● The executive who is speaker, is not responsible for the acts of members of the House of
Representatives
X. Large membership
● The members of the house of representatives are large in number that’s why there is a
limited time on the speeches and they are unable to deliver their point of view
regarding any issue under consideration
XI. Limitation on freedom of speech

● There is limitation on speech in the House of Representatives and in senate where
freedom of speech is allowed which enables the senators to do more justice to the
debates

XII. Direct election of senate
● Each state directly elects two senators for six-year terms. The terms of about one-third
(33 %) of the Senate membership expire every two years, earning the chamber the
nickname “the house that never dies.”
XIII. No leadership
● Unlike the House of common, there is no leader of the House of Representatives and a
spokesman of the government
XIV. Locality rule

● One of the biggest weaknesses of the members of the House of Representatives is the
Locality rule. The U.S constitution provides that a candidate must belong to the state
from where he is taking part in the election. This thing throws hurdles in their path of
progress
XV. No organization of political party

● No one organizes his political party with a different ideology. The idea of the major
party and the opposition are much known in the house of representatives
XVI. Judicial review

● The House of Representatives cannot take judicial review on Supreme Court decisions
but the senate can do this. This thing also makes this house more weak
9) Conclusion
● The House of Represents various sections of the U.S constitution due to its large
membership as compared to the senate. It has less authority which makes it a weak
house

Composition and Functions of the House of Representatives under the U.S
Constitution 🇺🇸
Introduction: The House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United
States Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. The U.S.
Congress is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House is responsible for representing the interests of the American people and
playing a vital role in the legislative process.
Composition of the House of Representatives: The House of Representatives is the

lower chamber of the U.S. Congress, and its composition and powers are established
by Article 1 of the United States Constitution. The number of voting representatives
in the House is fixed at 435 by law, representing the population of the 50 states.
Each state has at least one representative, and the number of representatives per
state is based on its population.
● Number of Representatives: There are 435 voting representatives in the

House, with each representing a congressional district in their respective
state.
● Term of Representatives: The term of a representative is two years, and after
every two years, new representatives are chosen through elections.
● Qualifications and Election: A candidate must be at least 25 years old, a U.S.
citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state from which they are
seeking election. Representatives are directly elected by the people in each
congressional district.
Functions of the House of Representatives:
1️⃣Legislative Powers:
● Equal Lawmaking Authority: The House shares the legislative power with the
Senate, and both chambers can initiate, amend, and pass bills and laws.
● Revenue Bills: The House has the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills
related to taxation and government spending.
● Ordinary Bills: Representatives can introduce and pass ordinary bills on
various subjects.
2️⃣Financial Powers:
● Revenue Bills: As mentioned earlier, the House is solely responsible for

initiating revenue bills, including taxation and spending matters.
3️⃣Judicial Powers:

● Impeachment: The House of Representatives has the authority to impeach
federal officials, including the President, for "high crimes and misdemeanors."
The House brings charges (articles of impeachment), and if a majority
approves, the case moves to the Senate for trial.
4️⃣Executive Powers:
● War Powers: The House, along with the Senate, has the authority to declare
war and make decisions on the use of military force.
● Treaties: The House participates in the treaty-making process, as treaties
negotiated by the President require the Senate's advice and consent, and the
House may also be involved in related legislation.
5️⃣Constitutional Amendment Power:
● The House of Representatives is part of the process to amend the U.S.

Constitution. Amendments must be proposed by a two-thirds majority in both
the House and the Senate.
6️⃣Electoral Power:
● In the case of a tie or no candidate receiving a majority of electoral votes for

President, the House of Representatives has the power to elect the President
from the top three candidates.
House of Representatives as a Weak House:
● Short Term: The House's two-year term can create a sense of urgency and
potentially affect the legislative process.
● No Executive Control: The Speaker, who presides over the House, does not
have control over the actions of House members.
● Large Membership: The large number of representatives can lead to time
constraints in debates and limited opportunities to deliver individual points of
view.
● Limitation on Freedom of Speech: Rules in the House may impose limitations
on speech during debates.
● Locality Rule: Representatives must belong to the state from which they are
running for election, which may limit their ability to focus on national issues.
● No Organization of Political Parties: Unlike other parliamentary systems, there
is no formal party leadership in the House.
Conclusion: The House of Representatives plays a significant role in the legislative

process of the United States. Despite some weaknesses, it represents the interests
of the American people and actively participates in lawmaking, budgeting, and other
key functions of the federal government.

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What is the composition and functions of the House of

Representation under the U.S constitution?

3) Composition of House of Representatives

II. Term of House of Representatives

4) Qualification and election of House of representative

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d. Not to hold office of profit

5) Presiding officer of house of Representatives

6) Committee of House of Representatives

7) Powers of House of Representatives

II. Financial powers

III. Judicial powers

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V. Constitutional amendment power

VI. Electoral power

8) House of Representatives a weak house

VII. Powerful role of senate

VIII. Short term

IX. No executive control

XI. Limitation on freedom of speech

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XIV. Locality rule

XV. No organization of political party

XVI. Judicial review

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Composition of the House of Representatives: The House of Representatives is the

● Number of Representatives: There are 435 voting representatives in the

Functions of the House of Representatives:

● Revenue Bills: As mentioned earlier, the House is solely responsible for

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5️⃣Constitutional Amendment Power:

● The House of Representatives is part of the process to amend the U.S.

● In the case of a tie or no candidate receiving a majority of electoral votes for

House of Representatives as a Weak House:

Conclusion: The House of Representatives plays a significant role in the legislative

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